Craigdarroch Castle

Originally constructed as the lavish residence of wealthy coal baron Robert Dunsmuir and his wife Joan, Craigdarroch Castle was meant to be a grand symbol of success. Tragically, Robert passed away in April 1889, before ever seeing the finished masterpiece. His sons completed the project, but the home’s future was far from simple.

Over the decades, this iconic landmark has served as everything from a military hospital and Victoria College to a music conservatory. Today, it's carefully preserved by the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum Society and welcomes around 150,000 visitors a year. As a National Historic Site, it’s one of the most important cultural landmarks in Victoria—and one of the most photogenic.

Stained Glass Windows:

The castle boasts an extraordinary collection of Victorian stained and leaded glass windows, including the recreated “woman with a swan” piece in the Drawing Room.

Tower Views:

Climb the iconic 87 steps to the tower and be rewarded with sweeping views of Victoria and the surrounding coastline.

Oak Staircases & Woodwork:

The interior showcases jaw-dropping craftsmanship—white oak, Spanish mahogany, and Hawaiian koa wood all make appearances.

The Drawing Room:

Once the family’s formal gathering space, this room has also served as a hospital rec room, college classroom, and office. Its restored painted ceiling is a highlight.

Historical Artifacts:

Period furnishings and interpretive displays help paint a vivid picture of 19th-century life in one of North America’s most opulent homes.

Encaustic Tile Flooring:

Imported from England, these vibrant tiles speak to the Victorian love for color, pattern, and permanence.

Bonanza Castle:

Craigdarroch is a classic example of a "bonanza castle"—mansions built by ultra-wealthy North Americans during the industrial boom. Think coal, railroads, and power.

Raffle to Riches (or Ruin):

After the Dunsmuir family sold the estate, it was raffled off by a land speculator in a dramatic attempt to sell building lots. The winner, Solomon Cameron, ended up bankrupt—and the castle eventually fell into the hands of a bank.

Six Lives, One Building:

Over the past century, the castle has been home to:

- The Dunsmuir family

- A military hospital

- Victoria College

- The Victoria School Board Office

- The Victoria Conservatory of Music

- And finally, the Craigdarroch Castle Historical Museum

Original Prefab:

Long before IKEA, Craigdarroch used prefabricated components from Chicago and Milwaukee—2,128 wood panels, staircases, doors, and shutters all shipped across the continent to be assembled on-site.

Victoria College Roots:

If you studied at the University of Victoria, you’re part of the castle’s story—it was once the very foundation of higher education in the city.