Atalaya Castle

A Moorish-style castle on the South Carolina coast — one of the most unusual buildings in the South

HistoricArchitectureArtHuntington BeachFree

About

Atalaya Castle is one of the most surprising and atmospheric places on the entire South Carolina coast. Built in the early 1930s as the winter home of sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington and her husband Archer, the castle is a sprawling Moorish-inspired structure of handmade brick, with a central courtyard, a 30-foot tower, and dozens of rooms that once housed Anna's sculpture studio, kennels, and living quarters. It sits at the entrance to Huntington Beach State Park and is open for free self-guided tours. The castle has no roof on many sections, giving it a haunting, ruin-like quality that's completely unlike anything else in the region.

Local Insider Tip

Visit in the late afternoon when the light comes through the open-air courtyard at a low angle — the brick glows orange and the shadows are dramatic. The tower is climbable and has a view of the ocean and the marsh. Combine with a visit to Brookgreen Gardens next door.

Kayak Access

Inside Huntington Beach State Park — paddle the freshwater lagoon and walk to the castle from the park road.

View Launch Sites →

Photos