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Biltmore House (Estate)
1 Lodge Street, Asheville, North Carolina

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Type of Structure: The residence of George & Edith Vanderbilt built in the style of a French Renaissance châteaux

Year(s) of Construction: 1889-1895 (The house was opened however the work wasn't copmplete)

Designer/Builder: Richard Morris Hunt (1828-95)

Stone Carver(s): Karl T. F. Bitter (1867-1915)

Materials: Brick and Limestone

Interesting Features: There are functioning gargoyles, chimeras, grotesques, and other architectural carvings. I particularly like the two carved lions guarding the main entrance.

There are two limestone carvings located above and to the left of the main entrance on the facade of the grand staircase. One of these is St. Louis of France (King Louis IX of France) and the other is St. Joan of Arc. They were carved by Karl Bitter, the Viennese sculptor responsible for many of the carvings and sculptures on the Estate. This information came from an email to me from Susan Clark, Interpretive Specialist of the Biltmore Estate. Click HERE to see the entire email (it is very interesting).

Personal Observations: This was my first "gargoyle hunt" with what was at the time my wife's camera. I visted the estate with Jen Davis and Julie Barausky while we were working in Oakridge, TN.

Website: Welcome To Biltmore Estate

Photos/Images: (all photos below can be "clicked on" to see larger versions)

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