A reader sent this picture to Curious Expeditions, asking if they knew where it was taken. The biggest clue is the building in the background with its distinctive architecture. Can you identify the building or the setting? Link
"Today, almost as legendary is Florida's XANADU - world's largest private pleasure ground. Here, on the deserts of the Gulf Coast, a private mountain was commissioned, successfully built for its landlord, Charles Foster Kane!"
I remember seeing a documentary/travel show that went on a road trip through the US. In it there was this large lake front resort (in Utah maybe) that kinda sat in the middle of nowhere. It burned down a few times but was rebuilt. It kinda looked like the building in the background. I did a quick Google search and couldn't find anything.
I'm going to look into this, but from first glance I don't think it's European. The tops of those domes have no crosses which make me think Either middle eastern or Indian.
Right now I'm leaning towards middle eastern, but I'll dig deeper.
I believe that this was taken at a nanotorium or sanitarium somewhere in America or Canada. Hot spring fed pools were very fashionable during the late 1800s, and were built all across the US. Their use was believed to cure many ailments from dry skin to serious diseases. Commonly, they were built in a style similar to this, and it was common for construction costs to rise near the million dollar mark - quite a lot of money now, an outrageous amount then. Some examples of these types of structures would be Saltair in Utah, the Bath House at Cedar Point Ohio, the Broadwater in Helena, Montana, adn the Santa Cruz Nanatorium in Santa Cruz California. Sadly, very few of them remain.
And while I am not sure what or where this is, I do know what it is not — This is definately not the Royal Pavilion, wrong color and the archictecture is different - the Pavilion has columns and details while these walls are smooth. The pavilion is made with stone, while this appears to be made of brick. Seeing as the picture came from England, it could be near the Brighton Pier, but I am skeptical — the architecture is just too different.
And while similar, this also isn’t Gripsholm Castle, as this building is rounded on the upper half and much smaller than the Castle. And the Castle has domes, not the onion spires.
The structure isnt a tent, like the ones in Haga Park in Sweden; it has too many details like the battlements.
Also not Saltair or Coney Island - this Structure is definately round (at least the top portion) while both Saltair and Coney Island are both more square. Both Saltair and Coney Island are huge structures; while our mystery building is much smaller.
But look in front of them, at those pieces of fabric. I'm willing to bet they are swimming trunks drying in the sun.
Anyway, they should have the CSI team make a zoom on that plaque by the fort's door.
Right now I'm leaning towards middle eastern, but I'll dig deeper.
On the shores of Lake Mälaren, Gripsholm Castle towers powerfully and fairytale-like over the idyllic small town of Mariefred in Södermanland.
Gripsholm is known as Gustav Vasa’s castle, as it was he who built the castle here in 1537.
- from the website http://www.royalcourt.se
I believe that this was taken at a nanotorium or sanitarium somewhere in America or Canada. Hot spring fed pools were very fashionable during the late 1800s, and were built all across the US. Their use was believed to cure many ailments from dry skin to serious diseases. Commonly, they were built in a style similar to this, and it was common for construction costs to rise near the million dollar mark - quite a lot of money now, an outrageous amount then. Some examples of these types of structures would be Saltair in Utah, the Bath House at Cedar Point Ohio, the Broadwater in Helena, Montana, adn the Santa Cruz Nanatorium in Santa Cruz California. Sadly, very few of them remain.
And while I am not sure what or where this is, I do know what it is not — This is definately not the Royal Pavilion, wrong color and the archictecture is different - the Pavilion has columns and details while these walls are smooth. The pavilion is made with stone, while this appears to be made of brick. Seeing as the picture came from England, it could be near the Brighton Pier, but I am skeptical — the architecture is just too different.
And while similar, this also isn’t Gripsholm Castle, as this building is rounded on the upper half and much smaller than the Castle. And the Castle has domes, not the onion spires.
The structure isnt a tent, like the ones in Haga Park in Sweden; it has too many details like the battlements.
Also not Saltair or Coney Island - this Structure is definately round (at least the top portion) while both Saltair and Coney Island are both more square. Both Saltair and Coney Island are huge structures; while our mystery building is much smaller.