Tomas Castelazo, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Montezuma Castle, Arizona

Montzeuma Castle is a spectacular, historic cliff dwelling in Camp Verde, Arizona.  Visited by 350,000 visitors annually, the 'castle' was created by the Sinagua people over 700 years ago. Whilst not a castle in the medieval or fairytale sense of the word, this structure is castle-like in its sense of design and strategic position.  Scroll Down for a Streetview of this incredible dwelling.

From the National Parks Service Website:

Today we gaze through the windows of the past into one of the best preserved cliff dwellings in North America. This 20 room high-rise apartment, nestled into a towering limestone cliff, tells a story of ingenuity, survival and ultimately, prosperity in an unforgiving desert landscape.

Come marvel at this enduring legacy of the Sinagua culture and reveal a people surprisingly similar to ourselves.

History of Montezuma Castle, Arizona

On December 8, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt celebrated the passage of the Antiquities Act by declaring four sites of historic and cultural significance as our nation's first National Monuments. Among these was Montezuma Castle, which the President identified as a place “of the greatest ethnological value and scientific interest.” Although very few original artifacts remained in the structure due to intensive looting of the site, Roosevelt's decision assured the continued protection of one of the best preserved prehistoric cliff dwellings in North America.

Montezuma Castle National Monument quickly became a destination for America's first car-bound tourists. In 1933, “Castle A”, a 45-50 room, pueblo ruin was excavated, uncovering a wealth of artifacts and greatly enhanced our understanding of the Sinagua people who inhabited this riparian “oasis” along Beaver Creek for over 400 years.

Early visitors to the monument were allowed access to the structure by climbing a series of ladders up the side of the limestone cliffs. However, due to extensive damage to this valuable cultural landmark, public access of the ruins was discontinued in 1951.

Now, approximately 350,000 people a year gaze through the the windows of the past during a visit to Montezuma Castle. Even 600 years after their departure, the legacy of the Sinagua people continues to inspire the imaginations of this and future generations”.

 

 

Visit Montezuma Castle, Arizona

CLICK HERE TO VISIT MONTEZUMA CASTLE ON THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE WEBSITE

 

By Mail
PO Box 219
Camp Verde, AZ 86322

By Phone
Visitor Information
928-567-3322

 

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