Tovrea Castle
By marcyaz
@Marcyaz (35316)
United States
January 31, 2016 11:06am CST
Tovrea Castle sets atop a hill in Phoenix, Arizona surrounded by cacti, it has long been a city landmark.
Alessio Carraro came to Phoenix in 1928 with a dream to build a resort hotel castle a few years later and was purchased by stockyard mogul E.A. Tovrea in 1931.
The 1929 Stock Market Crash forced Carraro to scale back, simplify his construction, and be resourceful, using recycled materials inside.
The maple floors came from a building that was being demolished, the kitchen cabinets came from a bank that was being remodeled.
A vault placed in the basement as a Wine Cellar came from another bank.
Unfortunately the stockyard stench was to much so Carraro sold the property.
It was originally intended as a centerpiece for a resort then later became a private residence.
The locals call it The Wedding Cake because of its resemblance to a wedding cake.
You can see the castle as you are driving along the Interstate.
There are many legends like the former owner died here and she haunts the castle or this was Al Capones desert hideaway.
10 people like this
10 responses
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
31 Jan 16
It is very sad he could not finish out his dream.
It is very beautiful and I would not doubt it is haunted.
Would love to see it however.
5 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
31 Jan 16
@TiarasOceanView It was sad that he had to sell out because of the stench from the stockyard, whether it is really haunted or not is anyones guess. It is a very unique attraction.
2 people like this
@TiarasOceanView (70020)
• United States
31 Jan 16
@Marcyaz Oh the smell made him sell it also..I missed that somehow lolz
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
31 Jan 16
@TiarasOceanView
Yep they could smell the stockyard if you have ever been near one you know what I mean, yucky.
2 people like this
@louievill (28846)
• Philippines
31 Jan 16
Carraro found out how fortune changes so quickly, good thing he was resourceful enough to make adjustments, and do recycling, it's beautiful
2 people like this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
31 Jan 16
@louievill It is quite magnificent and he was resourceful to find his tiles and other items he needed at places that were either closing down or being destroyed.
1 person likes this
@GreatMartin (23670)
• Ft. Lauderdale, Florida
1 Feb 16
I was in Phoenix--I have friends living in Phoenix--never heard of the place!
1 person likes this
@Marcyaz (35316)
• United States
1 Feb 16
@GreatMartin Next time you talk to your friends ask them about the castle maybe you were on the wrong side of town from where it is located but you can see it from the Freeway.
