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The Most Beautiful Castles in Canada
Canada's oldest castles date back to the 1970s, creating an experience of intense joy when it's time to revisit the eras and lifestyles of the industrial era. Visitors can relive this feeling thanks to restored works of art and costumed interpreters always ready to welcome them.
Unlike the castles of Europe, those of Canada today are state properties, luxury hotels and heritage museums open for visits to the general public.
The history of the most beautiful castles in Canada
Although Canada is not really known for being home to fortified castles intended for defense and royal residence, the country still offers a wide choice of castles to discover. Some Canadian buildings are even built entirely in the image of real castles, while others clearly display castle elements in their architecture.
Today, the majority of Canadian castles are used as hotels, courthouses or private residences.
Buildings with fascinating architecture
The most famous castles that reflect Canadians' fascination with castles are hotels. The most famous were notably built taking inspiration from the castles of the Loire Valley, in France, by the Canadian Pacific Railway towards the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century.
These hotels are scattered throughout Canada, from the Château Frontenac, in Quebec, to the Empress Hotel, in Victoria. They once served as a stopover for train travelers who wanted to enjoy a peaceful night.
Chateau-style architecture has not only been used to build luxury hotels in Canada. The country also expressed its love for this style in the construction of public buildings, as clearly demonstrated by the three courthouses in Ontario: the Middlesex County Courthouse (1827), the Milton County Courthouse (1855) and the Prison and Governor's Residence (1911).
The style of these courthouses is reminiscent of the fortified medieval castles of the Middle Ages in Europe which sought to reflect the authority of a court of law. With their modestly decorated stone facades and crenellated towers, these courthouses symbolize the strength and severity of the colonial judicial authority necessary to govern the country.
Above all aesthetic castles
Like Ontario's courthouses, castles served as models for the construction of armories in Canada. Having the same characteristics as European castles, these buildings were built to accommodate soldiers and their weapons to protect the population.
Canadian armories built in the castle style include the Cathcart Armory in Montreal (1933) and the Beatty Street Armory in Vancouver (1899).
Canadians tend to add castle-style features to their military buildings for the same reason they use them to build their courthouses: to reflect an image of authority.
Canadians' love of castles is best represented in the many private residences built across the country. One of the oldest surviving Canadian castles is located in Hamilton, Ontario. This is Dundurn Castle which was built in 1834 on a 13 hectare property for Sir Alan Napier McNab. On the west coast, in British Columbia, there is another private residence of great beauty: Château Hatley, built in 1908. Approximately 70 m long, this castle is built on an estate of 229.84 hectares which served of residence to James Dunsmuir.
More modest buildings can also be found on Canadian territory and reflect very well the love of Canadians for castles. We are talking in particular about the F. Sowden House which was built in 1910, in Manitoba, for Fred Sowden and his wife Maud. This house is like a fortress decorated with towers and crenellated decorations.
These houses were not built to represent comfort and luxury, or even authority. They exist above all with the aim of reflecting the interest that their owners have in old castles.
The most beautiful castles in Canada
Empress Hotel
The Fairmont Empress is one of the oldest hotels in Victoria, British Columbia.
The Empress Hotel is best known and loved for its waterfront location. Also nicknamed “The Empress”, this hotel is especially considered one of the best options for staying on Vancouver Island. Additionally, it is one of the main highlights of Victoria.
In particular, you should know that the Empress Hotel is one of the most photographed attractions on Vancouver Island.
Chateau Frontenac
Built by the Canadian Pacific Railway, the Château Frontenac is a hotel that serves as an iconic example of the large hotel structures built by Canadian Railway owners across the country.
Château Frontenac is also one of the country's national historic sites and was one of the first castle-style hotel chains built in Canada.
It has a privileged location overlooking the St. Lawrence River.
Casa Loma
Casa Loma, or Hill House in Spanish, is one of Canada's most famous castles converted into a museum.
Located in Canada's most iconic city, Toronto, Casa Loma is a Gothic-style mansion that has become a true must-see in the city. It has also become a must-see attraction when visiting Toronto.
Designed by an architect known for building many of the city's other monuments, Casa Loma is a 7-story mansion that amazes visitors with its enchanting interior decor and outdoor gardens. The 18th century garden is absolutely worth a visit for its restaurants and its magnificent panoramic view of the city of Toronto.
Although Canada's incredible castles are quite new compared to European castles, they are no less beautiful. The architecture of these buildings demonstrates a real desire to build beautiful and durable buildings over time. In addition, their owners have ensured that they are not only places to live, but also to work. No one can resist their charm, neither politicians nor pioneers.
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