The Palmetto State’s very own castle, Atalaya, is found right on the beach with a bulging maritime forest serving as a buffer between visitors on the beach and the castle itself. A magical place that was once home to one of America’s most beloved sculptors and artists, Atalaya Castle in South Carolina is a must-visit. So much so, in fact, that you’ll be drawn back in time after time.
It was built between 1931 and 1933 for Archer M and Anna Hyatt Huntington and was to serve as the winter home for the couple. It did for many years.
Anna Hyatt Huntington had a very successful career as a sculptor and also suffered from tuberculosis in the 1920s and 1930s. As a result, she and husband Archer would relocate for the winter to the milder climate here in South Carolina (from New York).
Atalaya Castle (named for Atalaya Castle in Spain) was the vision of Archer Huntington, who loved to travel to Spain.
He had his builders create the structure in the Moorish Revival style he so loved in Spain.
Advertisement
A little known fact about America's Atalaya Castle, unless you take a guided tour, is that the 30-foot bell tower within the structure also served as the castle's water tower.
Archer Huntington had the design in his head and worked closely with his builders. Each wall measures 200 feet in length to form the building's outline of a perfect square. (See the first image above to confirm.)
It has 30 rooms (not including bathrooms or animal rooms) that served the Huntingtons and housed their staff as well. And it had 25 chimneys that served the many, many fireplaces located in rooms and hallways.
When you visit, you can take a self-guided tour -- or take a tour with a knowledgeable guide who will lead you through the building and impart some incredible facts and historical tales of America's Atalaya Castle.
That's' not only because Atalaya is such a magnificent step back in time, it's also because Atalaya is located only 150 yards from the beach.
If that's not enough to keep you coming back, then the special events planned throughout the year will! Each September, for instance, Atalaya Castle hosts the Atalaya Arts & Crafts Festival.
This event lasts three days and features more than 100 local and regional artists, live musical entertainment, and food and beverages.
If you love to camp, then November's Atalaya Sleepover hosts a number of families who get to spend the night in a castle room of their choice, or sleep in the castle's courtyard under the stars (in a tent, of course).
Events take place throughout the year that will keep you coming back to Atalaya Castle over and over. View upcoming events at this link on the official website for South Carolina Parks. You can also check the South Carolina State Parks’ Facebook page from time to time. Follow, but also manually check the page because the Facebook algorithm doesn’t always show you every post from every page you follow.
Have you already explored this castle along the South Carolina coast? What did you think? Fire up some feedback! And be sure to check out the events that take place here throughout the year!
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
