Massachusetts Home to Two of America's 'Most Beautiful' Castles

When you think of castles, you probably think of towers, moats and drawbridges. You most likely don't think of America.

Well, the castles on this list pretty much have none of those things and yet, they are considered some of the most beautiful in the country.

Two of them are right here in Massachusetts.

I think it's safe to say that the majority of castles on Home Beautiful's Most Beautiful American Castles list were never used as defensive fortresses. Some of them probably don't really even need the title of castle.

They are more like grandiose houses built by people of means and dubbed castles due to their style and size (and presumably owner ego).

Take Boston University Castle on Bay State Road in Boston:

Google Maps

This Tudor Revival-style mansion was built as the home of Boston businessman William Lindsay in 1915. By 1938 it was donated to Boston University and became host to numerous receptions and concerts at the school as well as a wedding venue/event space those outside the school could rent.

In addition to hosting many weddings at this site, BU Castle has also appeared in several feature films. Kevin Spacey's 2007 heist drama 21 shot scenes here as did the 2016 all-female Ghostbusters film.

BU Castle also happens to have a pub in its basement. BU Pub is an actual bar on the university campus open only to faculty, staff, alumni, students and invited guests.

It's a stunning home and gorgeous venue, but is it really a castle?

Hammond Castle in Gloucester also made the list and has a bit more castle-like features.

Hammond Castle Museum via Facebook

Even from a distance, the towers and arches make the viewer think "castle." That is exactly what owner John Hammond Jr. was going for when he had it custom-built along Gloucester Harbor between 1926 and 1929.

The house was his dream home as well as the laboratory where he worked on his remote control devices. It was also a unique combination of 15th-, 16th-, and 18th-century architectural elements because Hammond was a huge castle fan.

The end result is a home that sits on the Most Beautiful American Castles list and it is no wonder why.

See the Stunning Architecture of Gloucester's Hammond Castle

It's been overlooking Gloucester Harbor for nearly 100 years and though this 'castle' was never actually used to protect the coastline, it is one impressive building.

Built by castle enthusiast John Hammond Jr between 1926 and 1929, this home/laboratory is now a museum that welcomes guests throughout the year. And it was recently named one of the Most Beautiful Castles in America.

Keep scrolling to see why.

Massachusetts Isn't the Only New England State With a Castle on the List. See Inside the Unique Connecticut Castle Also Dubbed 'Most Beautiful'

It was once the home of a famous TV actor, now Gillette Castle in East Haddam, Connecticut is a picturesque state park with amazing views and peaceful hiking trails perfect for day trips.

See Inside Jimmy Buffett's Staggering $6.9 Million Palm Beach Mansion

Jimmy Buffett sure knew how to live the good life. His former 3-bedroom, 3.5-bathroom, 4,039-square-foot mansion in the exclusive Eden Properties neighborhood in Palm Beach is exactly the kind of laid-back home you'd expect the superstar to relax in when he was off the road.

The interior centers around a combined dining and living room with eye-popping vaulted ceilings topped off by skylights, while a massive wall of mahogany-framed sliding glass doors looks out over the pool area outside. The kitchen is decorated in gleaming white, and each of the bedrooms has its own attached bathroom, while the massive master suite also has sliding glass doors that open to both the pool and a bathroom that looks like it belongs in a high-end resort.

The exterior of the house is just as striking, centered around a sparkling pool of deep cobalt blue. The pool area features plenty of lounging, and a loggia just outside the living room offers open-air dining. There are lush gardens, brick paths that walk through elaborate pergolas and a fountain. The property also features a two-car garage with a guest suite overhead, and it offers deeded access to the beach nearby.