Belvedere Castle - Free Audio Guide

Belvedere Castle, a compact Gothic Revival folly on a rocky outcrop in Central Park, New York City, was conceived in the late 19th century by Calvert Vaux and Jacob Wrey Mould. Overlooking Turtle Pond and adjacent parkland, it functions as a scenic viewpoint and enduring architectural feature within Frederick Law Olmsted and Vaux’s park plan, and has at times housed a weather observatory and served as an information point. Its evocative form has secured a place in cultural works, photography and civic memory. General information for visitors: it is reached on foot via Central Park’s pathways; the park and castle form part of the public park system and entry is generally free; visiting times vary by season and are set by park authorities; the historic interior has restricted wheelchair access, while the surrounding grounds and nearby paths provide more accessible options.