Hatley Castle
Hatley Castle is the main attraction of the National Historic Complex Hatley. This unique castle is located in Canada on th Vancouver Peninsula, near the capital Victoria. This world region is known Colwood which is part of British Columbia. Surrouding Hatley are beautiful coniferous forests consisting mainly of cedar and fir.
Hatley Castle is a castle of a new generation. It has no long history, as it was erected in the early 20 century. Completed in 1908. While it was completely finished between 1941 and 1943. The castle is used by cadets and staff officers of the Royal Military Academy Road. Currently it is housing the Royal University (Royal Roads University).
Before the beginning of 20 century and the built of beautiful castle, other area were used by early settlers of British Columbia as a major source of livelihood. Grown, have different cultures, and cedar bark was used for the manufacture of clothing.
Everything about Hatley began in 1906, when Lieutenant Governor James Dunsmuir, who was Scottish, purchased the land. He assignned a prominent Canadian architect, Samuel Maclure. It was a difficult task to build a mansion with 40 rooms, bedrooms and halls, all in style and splendor of a Scottish castle. Therfore the castle was built entirely in the Gothic Revival.
Of course, such a castle cannot do without a traditional and beautiful landscaped gardens, so Scot assigned to one of the most famous American arrangers - Brett and Hall, to create inspiring parks and alleys.
In 2008 the castle celebrated its 100th anniversary. Following the outbreak of World War II, plans were made King George VI, his wife Elizabeth and their two daughters - Princess Elizabeth and Margaret, to settle in Canada.
For this purpose the castle was purchased by the federal government in 1940 to be used as a royal residence. However, this plan was not carried out because such a departure from the Monarchs during the war could be construed as morally unworthy work, resulting in the royal staying in London.
The gardens around the castle are amazing and are the main magnet for thousands of visitors. Extremely beautiful, they were precisely arranged at the beginning of the century. Arrangers Brett and Hall predicted 9 main park around the castle - recreational walk for crops and finally reaches the dense coniferous forests in the region. While Dunsmuir resided in his magnificent castle he employed nearly 100 gardeners.
Today the castle has become a tourist destination, as often happens, and natural background of major film productions.
