Country

See also:

• Reference: Museums: History: Historic Houses  (602)

Belvedere House Gardens and Park - - An 18th-century hunting lodge in Ireland designed by German architect Richard Castle with garden follies. The official site includes a brief history and visitor information.

Biltmore Estate - - The official site for this grandiose 19th-century mansion in Asheville, North Carolina, designed by Richard Morris Hunt in the French Renaissance style. Brief history, photographs, visitor information.

Castle and Gardens of Freyr on the Meuse - - The official site of this grand Renaissance country house in Belgium provides an outline history, photographs and visitor information.

The Castle of Gola, Poland - - Cedric Gendaj gives a plan, images and history of this Renaissance house erected in 1580 by Leonard von Rohnau. Also information on the park and summer workcamps.

The Castle of St Georgen, Austria - - History of this 16th-century mansion on the hill-top site of a medieval castle, illustrated with old views; tour and heraldry. Prepared as a student project by a nearby school.

Chateau de Cirey - - An illustrated history and description of Voltaire's home 1734-49, with a biography of the great French writer, maps, and visitor information. Feature on Voltaire's Little Theater in the attic.

ChâteauxCountry.com - - Guide to French country houses: photograph, brief history and visitor information. (Site developed by châteaux owners).

Darshana Hall Plantation - - Darshana is one of the oldest and largest plantations the Southern Piedmont of North Carolina. The first house here was built in 1753 for John McElwarth. Illustrated history and visitor information.

Epanvilliers, France - - Chateau near Poitiers built c.1700 and being restored. History and account of the restoration by the Swiss owner. Events, visitor information with location map.

Hearst Castle - - The official site supplies a history of this palatial fantasy castle built 1922-7 by William Randolph Hearst with the aid of architect Julia Morgan. Visitor information.

La Roche Courbon - - French chateau built in the 15th century and extended in the 17th. The official site supplies a photograph, brief history, location and visitor information in English, French and German.

Larnach Castle Project - - Sophie Barker presents a history of this grand house in New Zealand built in 1871 by William Larnach, politician and merchant baron.

Linden Hall - - The official site of this Pennsylvania mansion built by Sarah Cochran in 1913 includes photographs and a brief history. Visitor information.

Loppem Castle - - This Gothic Revival mansion in Belgium designed by Edward Welby Pugin retains its original architecture and interior, and lies in a park, with ponds and a labyrinth. Description, photographs and visitor information.

Philipse Manor Hall - - A mansion built by Frederick Philipse in the 1680s in Yonkers, New York, US. Includes history, images, visitor information and calendar of events.

Schloss Boerln - - Owner Roderick Hinkel describes this late baroque country house in Germany, built on the site of a moated castle, and gives a history and photographs.

Yin Yu Tang, A Chinese Home - - Interactive tour of a house that belonged to a merchant from the late Qing dynasty, and was originally located in southeastern China. From the Peabody Essex Museum. [Requires Flash].