Every city we've visited has had at least one grand palace or mansion worth visiting, if for no other reason than to "...marvel at how the other half lived." Toronto has "Casa Loma" ( Spanish for "House on the hill"). Built between 1911 and 1914 for financier Sir Henry Pellett, it includes 98 rooms, massive stables, a potting shed, and a coach house. It is the largest private residence in Canada. The complex also includes five acres of gardens, an 800 foot underground tunnel connecting the main house with the coach house, and two secret passages ( although rumor has it there is a third, but it has not yet been found). The Pellatts only lived in Casa Loma for ten years, as they lost it because of financial problems (they eventually moved in with their chauffeur). For a short time in the mid-1920's, the house was operated as a luxury hotel. Toronto subsequently seized the property for back taxes in 1933 and leased it to the Kiwanis Club of West Toronto. During World War Two, part of the complex was used as a secret research center for the development of sonar. Casa Loma has been a popular backdrop location for the filming of movies, such as "X-Men", "Chicago", and "The Tuxedo." We could easily see why. This place is gorgeous! "The House on the Hill" - Casa Loma.... ...and looking at it from the back, across part of the gardens. Right off the main entrance is this grand foyer with its two-storey high ceiling. Originally known as the Napoleon Drawing Room, the Oak Room is the most decorated room in the house. It was used for formal occasions. Archive photo of the Library... ...during our visit, the Library was being used as a banquet hall for the Canadian Thanksgiving. The food looked great, and so did the price ; eighty dollars per person. Part of Lady Pellatt's suite... ...and part of Sir Henry's suite. The Pellatts hoped to,entertain royalty so their guest rooms were lavishly decorated. This Round Room was specifically designed to fit underneath the tower. There were two "secret" passages hidden in Casa Loma, and Lori found one of them. Their "Breakfast Nook" is more elaborate than most formal dining rooms we've known. This swimming pool was never finished during the Pellatt's time living here. Currently, it is used as a theater. As in most grand houses, there was always one room set aside as "The Smoking Lounge." Part of the 800 foot underground tunnel connecting the main house with the Coach House. Separated from the main house were the stables and the Couach House ( which at one time was called the Hunting Lodge). The five acres of gardens out behind Casa Loma were beautiful. We would have loved to have gardens like these, but it looks like a lot of work to maintain.
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Carl and Lorraine Aveni are two retirees planning on traveling through Europe for at least one year.
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