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Visit the Castle of Toronto: Casa Loma
Published by Anna Shevchenko, Writer
Country: Canada 
The Experience
Casa Loma (meaning “house on the hill” in Spanish) is a former estate of Sir Henry Pellatt, who was a well-known and wealthy broker, industrialist, and military man in Toronto during the early 1900s. Casa Loma is the largest private residence in Canada, and was designed by Canadian architect E. J. Lennox. It took 3 years (1911-1914), 300 workmen, and $3.5 million to complete this castle in Toronto.
Toronto's Casa Loma is surrounded by 5 acres of gardens that also house the stables and the Hunting Lodge. The main residence has three floors and a basement, with 98 rooms in total. In the best medieval castle tradition, Toronto’s Casa Loma has two secret underground passageways that connect the main building to those of the stables and the Hunting Lodge. The architecture and interior of Casa Loma reflect the flamboyant personality of Toronto castle’s former owner.
Sir Henry Pellatt was well travelled, and developed taste for art and architecture during his visits to Europe. Casa Loma Castle displays artwork by artists from Canada and around the world, and Pellatt invited artists from Europe to create elaborately decorated rooms and beautiful furniture. After completion, Casa Loma was a popular party spot where Pellatt and his wife, Lady Mary Pellatt, regularly entertained elite socialites of Toronto.
Pellatt eventually went bankrupt and had to give up his Casa Loma Toronto residence. Over the years, suggestions for possible uses of the building included a city hotel, a high school, an art gallery, and a home for recovering war veterans. In 1937, after the castle underwent restoration, the city of Toronto opened Casa Loma as a museum for the public.
Today, Casa Loma museum is one of the major tourist attractions of the city of Toronto, with hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. It is also a popular venue for private functions, and there are over 200 events held at the castle in Toronto every year. Casa Loma is often used as a location for film, TV, and photography shoots. For example, the movies X-Men, Chicago, and Scott Pilgrim vs. the World were all filmed around Casa Loma.
When touring Casa Loma, check out the underground tunnels, which offer an experience similar to visiting catacombs (there are no human bones, of course). Another must-see are the stables with their interior completed in mahogany and Spanish tiles. The stalls still display nameplates of the horses they held, and the two towers of the castle are fun to climb and offer a stunning view of downtown Toronto.
The Casa Loma gardes are an ideal place to have lunch during your visit to Toronto’s castle. There are groomed flowerbeds, benches, fountains, and plenty of trees for shade. With lots of green space and photogenic city views, the neighborhood right outside of Casa Loma is great for a stroll or a picnic after your visit.
When to Go to Casa Loma
Casa Loma holds a number of special events throughout the year, such as haunted tours, theatre performances, and archery lessons. If your goal is to attend one of the events, it is best to check the museum's website prior to your visit.
Odds n' Ends
The cost of adult admission is $20.55 (HST included). If you are visiting other Toronto attractions, it is best to purchase a City Pass. The $59 for adult admission means you can enjoy all of the following: Casa Loma, the CN Tower, the Ontario Science Center, the Royal Ontario Museum, and the Toronto Zoo.
No food or beverages are permitted in Casa Loma. If you get hungry during your visit, Sir Henry's Cafe and the Castle Keep Gift Shop are located on lower level of the building.
Places to Stay Nearby
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- The Royal Ontario Museum, known as the “ROM,” is a museum of world culture and natural history located in Toronto, Ontario. Founded in 1912, the ROM opened in 1914 near the University of Toronto, and remained under the University’s control and management until 1968. Since then, the Royal Ontario Museum has been an independent organization. Over the years, the ROM underwent several expansions and constructions, the most notable one being the renovation project named Renaissance ROM that began in 2002. The Michael Lee-Chin Crystal (known simply as the Crystal) designed by architect Daniel Libeskind, replaced the old Terrace Galleries. The ...1 miles away.
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