Discover This Must-See Enchanting Castle Found in Maryland

Think you need to travel to Europe to visit a castle? If you live in Maryland, you can enjoy picturesque views of a castle right in your own state. The Maryvale Castle is part of the Maryvale School, an independent all-girls Catholic school for grades 6-12. This castle has a beautiful interior as well as an exterior modeled after Warwick Castle in England. It is on the Maryvale campus, which is over 100 acres.

History of the Maryvale School

The first settlement in the area came at the Brooklandville estate, a country home owned by Charles Carroll. Carroll was one of the founding fathers and an important figure in Maryland’s history. Not only did he sign the Declaration of Independence, he became the first U.S. Senator to represent the new state of Maryland.

The castle was built in 1916 after Dr. and Mrs. Walter Wickes purchased the property. Architect Wilson L. Smith from Baltimore was in charge of the project, which was named Wickcliffe. The Wickes lived in the home until Mrs. Wickes passed away in 1945. Shortly after, the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur purchased the property and established a boarding and day school. Maryvale remains affiliated with the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur today, although it is no longer a boarding school.

Maryvale Castle provides an impressive backdrop to host guests of the school, hold special events, and take photos. The castle is a popular wedding location as well. It has a grand staircase that many use to make a special entrance to their event. The gardens’ outdoor areas are popular in the spring and summer. The castle also features suites for smaller gatherings or to be used as a bridal suite or groom’s room.

The intricate wood paneling inside is one of the key features of the castle. It is reminiscent of Tudor architecture and furnishings, a period often associated with the romantic and idealized version of castles.

Visiting the Castle at Maryvale

You can tour the castle and even rent it for an event. They do charge rental fees and have an approved list of vendors. Fortunately, the events planning team has a long history of creating spectacular special events. Visiting campus, including the castle, is done by appointment only. If you have a particular interest, you may be able to communicate that when making a tour reservation to get a truly personalized visit.

When you see Maryvale Castle, you may notice that it has more windows than expected. This was done intentionally and deviated from the traditional castles that were its inspiration. An early description of the house says that “Wickcliffe is a large and carefully-designed replica of a late medieval English house, a transitional period when many vestiges were retained of the earlier fortifications yet one which allowed the use of many windows.” This important detail helped identify the castle’s design.

As the school expanded, additional buildings and facilities completed the campus as it stands today. The castle remains one of the best-known and most visited places on campus. It also houses classrooms, study areas, and even a state-of-the-art Mac lab for students to use.

Where is Maryvale Castle Located?

Maryvale is located in Lutherville, Maryland. Roughly 6,500 people live in Lutherville, a small area in Baltimore County. It is on the northern edge of the Baltimore area and located in Baltimore County.

The school includes over 100 acres in the Greenspring Valley. European settlers were attracted to the area for its lush landscape and excellent growing conditions for many crops, something that Native American tribes had known and utilized. There are numerous historic sites, including homes, estates, and railroad tracks and depots, dating to the 1800s. Amazingly, much of the valley remains a natural landscape. Local laws protect it from development due to its historical and natural impact.

Wildlife around Maryvale

Even though it is located near a major city, Maryvale has plenty of wooded areas and is home to many species of wildlife. The nearby Greenspring Valley also offers safe locations for animals to live. White-tailed deer, squirrels, chipmunks, raccoons, and coyotes all live in this part of Maryland. They tend to favor the woods but do come onto campus at times. Fortunately, there are plenty of trees and forested areas. You may not see larger mammals right near the castle but they likely aren’t too far away.

Birds in Maryland include the iconic Baltimore Oriole, known for its black and orange plumage. Northern Cardinals, various species of woodpeckers, owls, hawks, and even bald eagles are plentiful in this area. There are also plenty of bats in Maryland. They often come out at dusk or night to eat insects and other small morsels.