Key facts about Tovrea Castle

With BC-CNS-Tovrea’s Treasures

By Cronkite News Service

Here are key facts about Tovrea Castle:

_ Location: On a hilltop just east of Sky Harbor International Airport, visible from the Red Mountain Freeway as it heads from Phoenix into Tempe.

_ Origin: Built between 1928 and 1930 by Alessio Carraro, an Italian immigrant from San Francisco who intended to make it a hotel surrounded by cactus gardens and luxury homes.

_ Ownership: Sold in 1931 to E.A. Tovrea and his wife, Della. The city purchased the castle in 1993.

_ Grounds: Originally on 277 acres east of Phoenix. The city has acquired 44 acres around the castle.

_ Plans: The cactus garden is open for tours. The city plans to begin offering tours of the castle in February 2009.

_ Information: City of Phoenix Parks and Recreation Department, phoenix.gov/PARKS/tovrea.html.