New England's Only Medieval Castle

In an unassuming corner in the quiet town of Woodstock, Connecticut, Christopher Mark, great grandson of Chicago steel tycoon Clayton Mark, began building his dream castle in 2003. 1 divorce, 1 separation, and numerous failed business ventures later, Christopher Mark is selling the oddly enchanting mansion for $45 million. 

The castle, named Chrismark Castle, was built out of stucco in the style of the ancient medieval castles found all over Europe. 

It is surrounded by a real moat and drawbridge, to keep out invaders...and nosy neighbors. The Castle has an impressive 9 bedrooms, 10 bathrooms, and 12 fireplaces in its expansive 18,777 square feet of space. 75 acres of privately owned land separate the Castle from any modern surroundings, making it feel like a medieval fairytale oasis. 

The Castle has an underground 3-car garage, and rumors of a private jet and luxury vehicles spotted on-site have spread throughout Woodstock. The rumors get stranger, however, and included sightings of exotic animals over the years- zebras, emus, and camels, thought to be part of Christopher Mark's personal zoo.

The inside of this Castle truly looks like something straight out of Game of Thrones. In the room shown above, elaborate floor woodwork complements an exquisite Oriental rug. Egyptian statues adorn the room.

In the Master Bedroom, heavy drapery accent the large windows. A huge 4-poster bed is the room's main feature, but our eye is also drawn to the strange collection of objects scattered throughout the space- the swords on the wall, the various colorful rugs, the heavy black chest of drawers, and the small knickknacks atop the window. This Castle is best suited for those with extremely eclectic taste.

Another view of the Master Bedroom shows more Egyptian-inspired artifacts and medieval weapons.

Maid's quarters, an au pair suite, and a 1,400 square foot kitchen with a 180-degree view of Lake Porter can also be found within the Castle's walls. The kitchen, shown above, has state-of-the art appliances. A beautiful cloudscape covers the ceiling, making for a truly enchanting (albeit unconventional) space.

Finally, an elaborate family crest adorns the floor of the entry foyer. Once you step inside this odd, eclectic, and intriguing Castle, you'll feel like you've just entered Hogwarts or King's Landing. One thing is for certain: you will have a feeling you're not in Connecticut any more.

Photos courtesy of Estately. Source: Boston Magazine