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This was my first time visiting Castle Otttis, and it was pretty unique experience -- it felt like I traveled back in time. The Irish-inspired medieval castle is unique, especially with its handcrafted stone details and peaceful atmosphere. I visited for a wedding, and it couldn't have been a more magical setting. If you love unique St. Augustine landmarks, this hidden gem is a must-see, appointment required.
While the "castle" is cool it's not really all it's cracked up to be. There is only one part that is available to the group. The rest is blocked off. Where the bride is to dress has a stand alone mirror. Nothing else. It's dirty so keeping the dress clean takes work. There is a guy with a cane that was verging on verbal aggression and started to get aggressive towards our 17 grandchildren. I told him the kids are all good and we got them. He then chose to tell me "well, the proof is in the pudding!" I returned with, "keep talking to me like that and we will have issues!" After the wedding my daughter and her husband and my husband and the grooms father were allowed to go to the top. We the mothers weren't allowed to go due to "insurance" I would suggest a different venue or a cooler. It also smells like death outside.
Castle Ottis was an experience of a life time for us. Even though we couldn't complete the entire tour due to heavy rain it was still an amazing experience. Mattias was a great guide and really made us feel the importance of the purpose of the castle. We will definitely be coming back to finish the tour next time we are here.
Rusty & his son was so hospitable to us. I emailed him at the last minute to see if we could schedule a tour. It was our last day in St Augustine so I took a chance...He got back to me right away & we were able to get in the same afternoon. It's really a labor of love, this incredible structure & the story of the men who built it. If you have a chance to visit, I highly recommend it. Donations are appreciated & we felt so grateful to have this shared experience.
Us two girls were on our second day of vacation. We stayed in Jacksonville the night before and we decided to ride A1A South looking for a hotel. We drove for a while and stumbled upon this beautiful castle. I parked the car. I had to get a closer look at this thing. We got out the car and started walking towards it. There is a house on A1A with this amazing castle in its backyard. I was puzzled. We found a gate that led to the castle. It said No Trespassing, or something along those lines. I didn't want to get in trouble so we kept out. We did find a sign that said this was a castle dedicated to Jesus Christ. The crazy part is though is that it wasn't even built that long ago. Maybe 20 years ago? I have so many questions about this place. Why did they decide to build this random castle right off the beach? Why did they not do it sooner? Why are there so many houses wrapped around this castle? Why can't I go look inside? If you're ever driving South from Jacksonville on A1A or just happen to be nearby, go check this place out! It's an American Castle and it's not in Disney World. That's impressive in itself.
I was so excited to visit fb castle Otttis however I was really disappointed to see that the gate is up and you have no access to the castle. You can literally see just a little bit of it as you get close although it's nice that is right next to the beach so we went to the beach afterwards. It is a really cool historic landmark I wish we could've been able to visit the inside. So if you were thinking to take photos like what you see online you probably need special permission to do so FYI.
Who would think you'd find a castle in Northeast Florida? Well, it's really here! Unfortunately, it is not open to the public, so I have never been inside. The owner does allow small wedding ceremonies to be held here and by appointment only, he will allow some organizations like schools and churches inside for religious education. The owner built Castle Otttis "As an original landscape-sculpture in remembrance of Jesus Christ." A small plaque outside the gates to the castle even states this. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/castle-otttis-st-augustine?select=piM4miOBsXCacUi_-e42TA#ksx8zF6x2RC2vzIoJxdEkQ It can be difficult to see the castle from the road if you aren't looking for it as it's kind of hidden behind many palms. If you are looking for it, it's hard to miss. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/castle-otttis-st-augustine?select=piM4miOBsXCacUi_-e42TA#piM4miOBsXCacUi_-e42TA I am not going to go into all the details of the history of the castle and why and how it was built because Naty K. has already written a beautiful and thorough review about it. i would just be repeating her. If you happen to be visiting St. Augustine, take the time to drive over and see the castle for yourself. Again, you can't go inside, but it's still beautiful to see from the outside. You'll at least then be able to say you've seen in a real castle in Florida. =)
There's not a lot I can say about Otttis Castle that hasn't been said in previous reviews other than "I've been here". I pride myself in searching out oddities in my travels and certainly this place qualifies as an oddity if for no other reason than its location. I haven't done the research but now that I've found this one I will keep this in mind when traveling around the country, I do have a fascination for these ginormous works of art and have visited many of them abroad in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scotland and Spain so I should create a list of those experiences. Although this is a modern day creation it's still very cool and unique as they all are. I only wish this one was open for public viewing a donation or some type of fee would be well worth it and would aid in maintaining it for generations to come. Although it has little historic value it is a work of art and dedicated as somewhat of a memorial. Although the viewing from the road is somewhat limited its worth stopping for....
This is a wonderful castle that everyone needs to put on their bucket list and make a game of passing by often to see if you can catch them open. It is well worth the effort to play the game and see this place. People have been known to be married here. I think that is pretty cool. Instead of hitting the expressway on your way to St. Augustine Fl, just take a leisurely drive on A1A. You can see the Castle top from the road. Park on the side of the street. Leave donations if you are able to catch them open.
We loved the tour of Castle Otttis. The tour guide is pretty spectacular. You'll thoroughly enjoy the spiritual and historical meaning behind almost everything inside the castle. The last Sunday of the month, they have a church service. Definitely check this place out.
I cannot think of many people (especially women) who haven't dreamed of marrying in a castle, but perhaps could not travel to England, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Germany, or any other place known for castle to hold a "destination wedding" due to budget constraints. I bet you never thought you could find a castle in Florida, but here is proof to show you that you're wrong! Driving along the A1A, among some stilt-like beach houses, although it seems somewhat hidden, there's no hiding the tall turrets from Castle Otttis that stick out like a sore thumb. And no, the three "t's" in Otttis are not a typo, it's actually because the three t's represent the three crosses atop Calvary when Christ was crucified, as Castle Otttis is built in remembrance of Jesus Christ and to designate a place of peace upon this earth. Situated about three miles north of St. Augustine on A1A, on Vilano Beach, construction began in 1984. The concrete-block-and-poured-concrete exterior was completed in 1988, and the builders took another three years - until 1991 - to finish the interior with cypress wood and southern heart-pine ornamentation. At 50 feet high and an estimated 7 million pounds, Castle Otttis is an impressive structure. I have been told that they light the castle at night in shades of blue, which must be quite a sight. It is named after Ottis Sadler, the stone mason responsible for the structure. Otttis is modeled on an actual 1,000-year-old castle in Ireland (I told you I'd save you a trip to Ireland for a "destination wedding!"). The builders worked with historians from the Catholic Diocese of Northeast Florida to re-create the atmosphere of an Irish abbey of the period, so it's as authentic as you can get, without having to splurge thousands of dollars on international airfare, hotels, etc. It is privately owned and only accessible upon request, but it is easy to arrange a private tour with Rusty, the owner, as long as you do so 72 hours in advance. Tours are by donation, though they do hold services on Sunday mornings if you'd rather do that instead. All are welcome regardless of belief, culture, ethnicity or orientation. Of course, weddings can be held here too, although research tells me you cannot have more than 50 guests, and although quite affordable, Mr. Rusty does not appreciate too much decor inside his castle. By the way, I highly recommend arranging a private tour of the interior, not only because you don't want to miss out on such a beautiful, yet beckoning castle, but because the minute you meet Rusty, you will feel like he's got such a great, enlightening, peaceful, and positive presence. He and his castle are magical! My friend and I feel very privileged to have spent some time in his company, listening to his wisdom and his jokes (at my expense!). This is a visit, and a gentleman, that we will never forget for as long as we live. Here is some trivia about Castle Otttis: -Castle Otttis is privately owned. -Castle Otttis does NOT have handicapped access, electricity or other utilities. -Castle Otttis does have a dedication - "Done in Remembrance of JESUS CHRIST." -All the Castle's masonry work was done by two individuals working without laborers, helpers, elevation drawings or models. A carpenter (Lee Carpenter) and a blacksmith executed the woodwork and iron work. -There is no glass in any of the 88 windows, so the interior is open to the air. -The interior has examples of eight different staircases, an altar, a pulpit, a Bishop's chair, a choir loft and benches. -Castle Otttis sits in the same line of latitude as the Great Pyramids in Egypt (30° north latitude). -Castle Otttis won an award from the American Institute of Architects in 1992 for "the creation of a new landmark" in the United States. -Castle Otttis is officially designated a garage because the St. Johns county property appraiser didn't know what else call it. -Castle Otttis is described as having been built as an expression "done in remembrance of Jesus Christ." The intention of the builders was to make this a landscape sculpture. According to the castle's website, it was not built as a commercial building or for any purpose other than as a sculpture. -The music video for Thompson Square's "Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not?" was filmed here. See for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDUOcHg5ijg
2 months ago
This was such a fascinating place to tour. You have to make a reservation to tour and the time is very limited. The history about how this castle came to be is a story worth hearing. I loved hearing about the engineering design. read more
1 year ago
Just about 10 minutes north outside of historic St. Augustine is a unique castle that sits back from the main road among trees and hedges. Sadly, the owner and creator of Castle Otttis, Kendle Icke, passed away in July 2023. However, his son, who lives on the property does conduct tours for small groups of people who have reservations. His tours are very interesting with information on how the castle came to be. Apparently, Mr. Icke had a couple of dreams about a castle in great detail, which he shared with a builder friend of his. The friend encouraged him to build it and agreed to help him. They were able to get donated building materials to work with. Mr. Icke built the castle in the image of old castles in Ireland and dedicated it to his wife. Castle Ottis was built between 1984-1988. The Ickes also had a home on the property to the left of the castle. We took the tour with a small group of people, which worked out very well. There are 3 levels if you count the rooftop, where you will see gorgeous panoramic views of the ocean. This is a castle based on 1000 year old Irish castles. The tour is free but donations will be greatly appreciated. A must see if you are in St. Augustine. It is a magical experience. There are special events held at the castle, like weddings or anniversaries. It is also great for photography opportunities. This is a one of a kind opportunity. Please note that Castle Otttis does not have handicapped accessibility. Parking is available on the property for the guests. You are allowed to take pictures inside the castle. read more
8 months ago
This was my first time visiting Castle Otttis, and it was pretty unique experience -- it felt like I traveled back in time. The Irish-inspired medieval castle is unique, especially with its handcrafted stone details and peaceful atmosphere. I visited for a wedding, and it couldn't have been a more magical setting. If you love unique St. Augustine landmarks, this hidden gem is a must-see, appointment required. read more
10 months ago
4 years ago
While the "castle" is cool it's not really all it's cracked up to be. There is only one part that is available to the group. The rest is blocked off. Where the bride is to dress has a stand alone mirror. Nothing else. It's dirty so keeping the dress clean takes work. There is a guy with a cane that was verging on verbal aggression and started to get aggressive towards our 17 grandchildren. I told him the kids are all good and we got them. He then chose to tell me "well, the proof is in the pudding!" I returned with, "keep talking to me like that and we will have issues!" After the wedding my daughter and her husband and my husband and the grooms father were allowed to go to the top. We the mothers weren't allowed to go due to "insurance" I would suggest a different venue or a cooler. It also smells like death outside. read more
2 years ago
2 years ago
Castle Ottis was an experience of a life time for us. Even though we couldn't complete the entire tour due to heavy rain it was still an amazing experience. Mattias was a great guide and really made us feel the importance of the purpose of the castle. We will definitely be coming back to finish the tour next time we are here. read more
Rusty & his son was so hospitable to us. I emailed him at the last minute to see if we could schedule a tour. It was our last day in St Augustine so I took a chance...He got back to me right away & we were able to get in the same afternoon. It's really a labor of love, this incredible structure & the story of the men who built it. If you have a chance to visit, I highly recommend it. Donations are appreciated & we felt so grateful to have this shared experience. read more
8 years ago
Us two girls were on our second day of vacation. We stayed in Jacksonville the night before and we decided to ride A1A South looking for a hotel. We drove for a while and stumbled upon this beautiful castle. I parked the car. I had to get a closer look at this thing. We got out the car and started walking towards it. There is a house on A1A with this amazing castle in its backyard. I was puzzled. We found a gate that led to the castle. It said No Trespassing, or something along those lines. I didn't want to get in trouble so we kept out. We did find a sign that said this was a castle dedicated to Jesus Christ. The crazy part is though is that it wasn't even built that long ago. Maybe 20 years ago? I have so many questions about this place. Why did they decide to build this random castle right off the beach? Why did they not do it sooner? Why are there so many houses wrapped around this castle? Why can't I go look inside? If you're ever driving South from Jacksonville on A1A or just happen to be nearby, go check this place out! It's an American Castle and it's not in Disney World. That's impressive in itself. read more
6 years ago
I was so excited to visit fb castle Otttis however I was really disappointed to see that the gate is up and you have no access to the castle. You can literally see just a little bit of it as you get close although it's nice that is right next to the beach so we went to the beach afterwards. It is a really cool historic landmark I wish we could've been able to visit the inside. So if you were thinking to take photos like what you see online you probably need special permission to do so FYI. read more
Who would think you'd find a castle in Northeast Florida? Well, it's really here! Unfortunately, it is not open to the public, so I have never been inside. The owner does allow small wedding ceremonies to be held here and by appointment only, he will allow some organizations like schools and churches inside for religious education. The owner built Castle Otttis "As an original landscape-sculpture in remembrance of Jesus Christ." A small plaque outside the gates to the castle even states this. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/castle-otttis-st-augustine?select=piM4miOBsXCacUi_-e42TA#ksx8zF6x2RC2vzIoJxdEkQ It can be difficult to see the castle from the road if you aren't looking for it as it's kind of hidden behind many palms. If you are looking for it, it's hard to miss. http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/castle-otttis-st-augustine?select=piM4miOBsXCacUi_-e42TA#piM4miOBsXCacUi_-e42TA I am not going to go into all the details of the history of the castle and why and how it was built because Naty K. has already written a beautiful and thorough review about it. i would just be repeating her. If you happen to be visiting St. Augustine, take the time to drive over and see the castle for yourself. Again, you can't go inside, but it's still beautiful to see from the outside. You'll at least then be able to say you've seen in a real castle in Florida. =) read more
There's not a lot I can say about Otttis Castle that hasn't been said in previous reviews other than "I've been here". I pride myself in searching out oddities in my travels and certainly this place qualifies as an oddity if for no other reason than its location. I haven't done the research but now that I've found this one I will keep this in mind when traveling around the country, I do have a fascination for these ginormous works of art and have visited many of them abroad in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Scotland and Spain so I should create a list of those experiences. Although this is a modern day creation it's still very cool and unique as they all are. I only wish this one was open for public viewing a donation or some type of fee would be well worth it and would aid in maintaining it for generations to come. Although it has little historic value it is a work of art and dedicated as somewhat of a memorial. Although the viewing from the road is somewhat limited its worth stopping for.... read more
6 years ago
8 years ago
This is a wonderful castle that everyone needs to put on their bucket list and make a game of passing by often to see if you can catch them open. It is well worth the effort to play the game and see this place. People have been known to be married here. I think that is pretty cool. Instead of hitting the expressway on your way to St. Augustine Fl, just take a leisurely drive on A1A. You can see the Castle top from the road. Park on the side of the street. Leave donations if you are able to catch them open. read more
7 years ago
We loved the tour of Castle Otttis. The tour guide is pretty spectacular. You'll thoroughly enjoy the spiritual and historical meaning behind almost everything inside the castle. The last Sunday of the month, they have a church service. Definitely check this place out. read more
7 years ago
4 years ago
I cannot think of many people (especially women) who haven't dreamed of marrying in a castle, but perhaps could not travel to England, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Germany, or any other place known for castle to hold a "destination wedding" due to budget constraints. I bet you never thought you could find a castle in Florida, but here is proof to show you that you're wrong! Driving along the A1A, among some stilt-like beach houses, although it seems somewhat hidden, there's no hiding the tall turrets from Castle Otttis that stick out like a sore thumb. And no, the three "t's" in Otttis are not a typo, it's actually because the three t's represent the three crosses atop Calvary when Christ was crucified, as Castle Otttis is built in remembrance of Jesus Christ and to designate a place of peace upon this earth. Situated about three miles north of St. Augustine on A1A, on Vilano Beach, construction began in 1984. The concrete-block-and-poured-concrete exterior was completed in 1988, and the builders took another three years - until 1991 - to finish the interior with cypress wood and southern heart-pine ornamentation. At 50 feet high and an estimated 7 million pounds, Castle Otttis is an impressive structure. I have been told that they light the castle at night in shades of blue, which must be quite a sight. It is named after Ottis Sadler, the stone mason responsible for the structure. Otttis is modeled on an actual 1,000-year-old castle in Ireland (I told you I'd save you a trip to Ireland for a "destination wedding!"). The builders worked with historians from the Catholic Diocese of Northeast Florida to re-create the atmosphere of an Irish abbey of the period, so it's as authentic as you can get, without having to splurge thousands of dollars on international airfare, hotels, etc. It is privately owned and only accessible upon request, but it is easy to arrange a private tour with Rusty, the owner, as long as you do so 72 hours in advance. Tours are by donation, though they do hold services on Sunday mornings if you'd rather do that instead. All are welcome regardless of belief, culture, ethnicity or orientation. Of course, weddings can be held here too, although research tells me you cannot have more than 50 guests, and although quite affordable, Mr. Rusty does not appreciate too much decor inside his castle. By the way, I highly recommend arranging a private tour of the interior, not only because you don't want to miss out on such a beautiful, yet beckoning castle, but because the minute you meet Rusty, you will feel like he's got such a great, enlightening, peaceful, and positive presence. He and his castle are magical! My friend and I feel very privileged to have spent some time in his company, listening to his wisdom and his jokes (at my expense!). This is a visit, and a gentleman, that we will never forget for as long as we live. Here is some trivia about Castle Otttis: -Castle Otttis is privately owned. -Castle Otttis does NOT have handicapped access, electricity or other utilities. -Castle Otttis does have a dedication - "Done in Remembrance of JESUS CHRIST." -All the Castle's masonry work was done by two individuals working without laborers, helpers, elevation drawings or models. A carpenter (Lee Carpenter) and a blacksmith executed the woodwork and iron work. -There is no glass in any of the 88 windows, so the interior is open to the air. -The interior has examples of eight different staircases, an altar, a pulpit, a Bishop's chair, a choir loft and benches. -Castle Otttis sits in the same line of latitude as the Great Pyramids in Egypt (30° north latitude). -Castle Otttis won an award from the American Institute of Architects in 1992 for "the creation of a new landmark" in the United States. -Castle Otttis is officially designated a garage because the St. Johns county property appraiser didn't know what else call it. -Castle Otttis is described as having been built as an expression "done in remembrance of Jesus Christ." The intention of the builders was to make this a landscape sculpture. According to the castle's website, it was not built as a commercial building or for any purpose other than as a sculpture. -The music video for Thompson Square's "Are You Going to Kiss Me or Not?" was filmed here. See for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FDUOcHg5ijg read more
13 years ago
We had our wedding here last weekend. It is a stunning location and feels very spiritual inside! There is little decorating needed since it is just perfect and the price is affordable. Rusty (the owner) is erratic in his moods. He is very friendly and accommodating at times and other times his rules of what could be done and where people were allowed within the castle changed. If you are in any way picky, this is not the venue for you. Overall it's a beautiful place that comes with the hastle of working with its owner who literally stands there and watches everything you do. For me, it was worth it because it's that gorgeous. read more
12 years ago
8 years ago
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9 months ago
