Welcome to The Castle

Montezuma Castle is a cliff dwelling whose name arose from the mistaken belief that Aztec refugees had built a castle for their emperor, though Montezuma never came this far north from his home in Mexico. The dwelling, seen high in the north wall of Beaver Creek, was home to a community of prehistoric farmers who chose a particular alcove that may have offered protection from the elements, day-long solar heat from its southern exposure, defensibility against intruders, tradition, the view, or some combination of these advantages.

Arizona · United States