Another cool desert surprise is Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights, built in the middle of the desert in the 1920s. Providing mystery and magic in its desert home and serving as a popular tourist attraction—so popular that tickets are sold in advance on a lottery system—this castle never had a prince or princess, but it has ignited the interest of travelers and residents alike for 90 years. We at Paseo Homes AZ hold this and other historic homes close to our hearts, and we are excited to tell its story.
Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights
Your first question is probably, “Why would anyone build a castle in the desert?” and we have to commend you on a truly excellent question. Originally built to be the centerpiece of a massive, planned resort, the Great Depression put an end to that plan, and the castle ended up being the only structure built. Eventually sold to a rancher, the castle was a family home for many years, while the original builder, Alessio Carraro, moved to Yarnell, where he eventually built another castle, this one much smaller and known as Carraro’s Grotto today. The Tovrea family lived in the castle until Mrs. Tovrea passed in 1969, and in 1993, Tovrea Castle was purchased by the city of Phoenix.
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A Tour of Excellence
The beauty of Tovrea Castle stands up to the test of time, and the tours offered almost always sell out. Who can resist a mystery, and how many times in life are we handed the opportunity to explore a castle? The castle has been open for tours since 2012, and for the protection of the structure, there are only a limited number of tickets sold well in advance. For example, tickets for spring, considered January through May for their purposes, go on sale for two weeks in October. The castle offers regular tours that occur in the mornings, twilight tours, and special event tours that will be advertised on their site. The tours will take guests through the castle and the cactus gardens outside, which is especially fascinating to travelers who have never seen the desert. There are no tours in July and August.
The Desert and All Its Glory
Travelers are often fascinated by cacti, especially those whose homes may be in more verdant states, and if you too are intrigued by the desert and all it offers, many of our Paseo Homes escapes will offer the ideal chance to experience that life firsthand. Contact us to reserve your favorite Phoenix or Scottsdale retreat today!
