Embark on a tour of Miramont Castle, a late 19th-century mansion at the foot of Pikes Peak. The grand structure is a mix of architectural styles including gothic, byzantine, Elizabethan and Queen Anne.
Miramont Castle was constructed in 1895 for a French Catholic priest who came from a wealthy family. There are more than 30 rooms that are furnished as they would have been at the end of the 19th century. These include eight-sided rooms and a sixteen-sided bedroom.
While you are standing in front of the building, see how many architectural styles you can spot. For starters, there are the medieval battlements at each end of the building and the gothic door.
Tours of Miramont Castle are self-guided, and on your way in you will receive a short discourse on the history of the structure and a tour sheet which provides information about the rooms. Visitors can't actually step inside them, but their doors are open so you can clearly see inside.
The house is also a museum that showcases numerous exhibits. See photographs and uniforms from the American Civil War. Peruse antique firefighting equipment from the Pikes Peak region. Among the highlights is a vintage hose cart that is more than 130 years old. Look at the miniature homes and buildings that represent Colorado Springs during Victorian times. Visit the two rooms dedicated to John C. Young, a judge at the war crimes trials at the end of World War II.
After your tour, venture outside for a walk around the castle gardens.
Miramont Castle is open every day except Mondays and some public holidays and there are reduced hours on Sundays. The admission fee includes access to both the house and its gardens. Miramont Castle is situated in the city of Manitou Springs, approximately 6 miles (10 kilometres) to the west of Colorado Springs. The mansion is in a residential area close to the downtown area, and parking is free.
