Gfpacificbee’s Insights & photography

Seating inside Hearst Castle

Hearst Castle is located up on a hill in San Simeon, the land was originally purchased by George Hearst. After his & his wife’s passing, the ownership of the property was transferred to William Randolph Hearst, their son.

William Randolph Hearst expanded on the property growing it to encompass approximately 250,00 acres. In 1919, Hearst collaborated with San Francisco architect Julia Morgan to build what would later become one of the world’s greatest showplaces and later an accredited museum. 

The site originally known as “Camp Hill” was renamed “La Cuesta Encantada” which is Spanish for The Enchanted Hill.

After the passing of William Randolph Hearst, the estate opened its doors to the public in 1958. Hearst Castle comprising 90,000 square feet and Hearst’s world-class art collection. The property includes its own theater, billiard room, beauty salon and pair of dazzling swimming pools.

Among the rooms you can view while touring the Castle are:

• Grand Social Rooms of Casa Grande —the largest house at Hearst Castle.
• Assembly Room — located on the ground floor.
• Refectory — where Hearst hosted lavish dinner parties and social occasions.
• Billiard Room — where guests could relax and play billiards and pool.
• Theatre — Hearst joined his guests here to watch movies and newsreels.
• Doge’s Suite — here guests can admire the magnificent painted antique ceiling, marble balcony and Mountain View’s.
• Main Library — It has an impressive collection containing more than 4,000 books.
• Gothic Suite — located on the third floor it contains Hearst’s most treasured collections and sacred objects.

There are many more areas and rooms you may tour at Hearst Castle. The sculptures and architecture are amazing to see. As you can see, the various rooms have a variety of seating selections; each selection was once used by the vast number of guests visiting the property.

When touring the Castle ( depending on your choice of tour) you may learn about the paintings, sculptures, antiquities, tapestries and other works that comprise Hearst’s collection.

The Enchanted Hill doubled as a museum, bringing together centuries-old masterpieces in one stunning setting.  These historic objects can still be viewed today among Hearst’s gardens, guest houses and Casa Grande. 

Even though you can view and admire the numerous spacious rooms and seating arrangements around Hearst Castle, they are only for admiration and not for tourists to currently use.

Pull up a Seat Photo Challenge 2024-Week 24

Fandango’s One-Word Challenge (aka, FOWC) – Roomy

Throwback Thursday

Photo Credit:©️1979 Nornal H. Waters (my dad) … All Rights Reserved.

Camera: Minolta XG-7 35 mm

Location: Hearst Castle; San Simeon, California, USA

God Bless. Thank you for sharing your time and thoughts with me. I appreciate y’all very much.