One of my favorite things about traveling is when I get to see sites that I didn't expect. The first time I drove by by this beautiful Castle in Kentucky I could tell that it had been sitting empty for awhile. I could just imagine the story behind it and what was going to become of it. It is located in Versailles, KY near Lexington, not too far from the well known Keeneland Horse Race Track and the Lexington Bluegrass Airport.
Kentucky is a favorite place for many to visit for various interests including the most popular Horse Racing. Most people would never think to associate Kentucky and Castles but they do exist. The Kentucky Castle/Castle Post is among the most luxurious Hotels and Restaurants in Lexington. The Kentucky Castle or Castle Post as it is known now has been known as the Martin Castle after the original owners.
There are many reasons to visit The Kentucky Castle including their fantastic farm to table meals prepared for dining guests, Hotel accommodations that will make you feel like you are in a fairytale, Castle Tours, Special Events can be reserved, and if you like dinner and a show you can book a Murder Mystery Dinner. How cool is that for a life size "Clue Game" with your dinner. Of course I picture it a lot more interesting than the board game. They offer much more than I will list here but it is worth a trip to enjoy the day, night or even stay a week.
Visitors from all over have enjoyed the site and mystery of the castle. There have been many stories told on the history of the Castle.
In 1969 builder Rex Martin started the construction of the Castle, building it for his wife. It is said to be situated on 55 acres. After they divorced, Rex Martin moved to Florida and abandoned the construction. A lot of stories have been passed around about the fate of the castle over the years. I have heard many stories myself that included someone local bought it, then it was for sale again after a fire and then rebuilt, then some companies bought it to turn it into a bed breakfast, the list goes on and on of the stories told. Of course depending on who you heard it from it could have been a fairytale story from the start. How the original owner was heartbroken after the divorce that he couldn't bare to finish it.
So I will leave it to your own imagination and research on the rest of the history for this lovely gem in the midst of Kentucky and hope you get the opportunity to visit for yourself.
To wrap up my day of imagination while viewing the Castle, I enjoyed riding away into the sunset.
Happy Traveling :)
The pictures are my own, taken while I was driving by the Castle. For more details and inside pictures you can view them when you visit for your dinner, stay, tour or event :)
very cool
Yes it is. Glad they got it finished and up and running. It is a unique concept for the area.
1 permanent vote, always successful greeting
