You might want to dust off your suit of armor, fill a goblet with grape juice, and throw on Monty Python and the Holy Grail. From monuments, to churches, to libraries, and more- we’re about to go on a scenic tour of Pennsylvania castles.
1. Castle at Little Round Top, Gettsyburg
This castle is one of the most prominent monuments on the Gettysburg battlefield, and of course it is considered to be haunted.
2. Buhl Mansion, Sharon, Mercer County
The Buhl Mansion was originally built as a home for the founder of Buhl Steel Company and now operates as a bed and breakfast and wedding venue.
3. Bryn Athyn Cathedral, Bryn Athyn
This cathedral, built in the early 1900's, is the episcopal seat of a denomination of The New Church. Maybe that's why people say "Bless you" every time we say "Bryn Athyn" out loud.
4. Braddock Carnegie Library, Allegheny County
It is a monument to literacy.
5. Fonthill , Doylestown
This lavish home includes 44 rooms, over 200 windows, 18 fireplaces, and 10 bathrooms. Wow. We can only imagine what cleaning day is like.
6. Grey Towers, Milford
Also known as the Gifford Pinchot House, this castle was originally the home of the first director of the United States Forest Service.
7. M. Carey Thomas Library, Bryn Mawr College
We envy the college students who get to study in such a grand setting.
8. Woodmont, Gladwyne
Not only is this mansion mouth-wateringly gorgeous, but it is the center of the International Peace Mission Movement. That just goes to show you that inner and outer beauty can go hand-in-hand.
9. Mansion in Springdale Historic District, York
The largest mansion on its street, this castle also happens to be a funeral home.
10. Psi Upsilon Fraternity, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
We'd give our left pinky toes to attend a party in this frat "house."
11. Philadelphia Masonic Temple
The ceremonial gavel used to lay the cornerstone of the Philadelphia Masonic temple was the same ceremonial gavel used by President George Washington to level the cornerstone of the nation's Capitol building in 1793.
We kind of wish "ceremonial gavels" were used more in every day life.
12. Eastern State Penitentiary, Philadelphia
Dark, foreboding walls built to keep criminals in. Definitely haunted. Also looks like something out of Arthurian legend. Below is a peek at Al Capone's cell.
That cell looks cozier than some of the dorm rooms we've stayed in.
13. The Allegheny County Courthouse & Jail, Pittsburgh
Pictured is the "Bridge of Sighs," which connects the courthouse to the jail. It is named after a bridge in Venice, Italy. (Incidentally, Pittsburgh has more bridges than Venice.)
14. The Cathedral of Learning, Pittsburgh
The tallest academic building in the world, The Cathedral of Learning stands as a navigational landmark for the entire Pittsburgh area. Most students at University of Pittsburgh have many classes inside this megalodon.
15. Pennsylvania Castle, Dorset, England
Okay, this castle isn't in Pennsylvania. Let's just consider it a home away from home.
Pennsylvania truly is home to some awesome architecture. Many people travel to the other side of the world to see such grand buildings, but you can see them without leaving the state. Do you know of any other castles in Pennsylvania?
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