This Hidden, Abandoned Castle In North Carolina Has A Mysterious Past

North of Durham, on the rolling slope of Red Mountain, exists a mysterious, otherworldly abandoned castle. Much rumor and legend has long surrounded the castle and its lack of completion. From afar, it seems that this castle is better suited for a German hillside or for Russian elite, but Castle Mont Rouge calls North Carolina home, and many have wondered for years the true story behind the castle and its creatorSculptor and artist Robert Mihaly set out to create a living structure filled with whimsical architecture and design. He was seeking a small yet secluded space for his studio and temporary residence - so Castle Mont Rouge was born. The Castle consists of a mix of different styles - with European-esque towers and Middle East-inspired minarets and cupolas.Before Castle Mont Rouge existed, Mihaly served as a sculptor in residence at the Washington Cathedral, and even began to work on two commissions for Duke University. Creative differences arose and Mihaly's work was deemed 'too spooky.' He left to pursue his own creations and thus, pursue Castle Mont Rouge. 

The castle was largely completed on the exterior, but the interior was never completed. Rumor has it that after the death of his wife, Mihaly was too depressed to go on with his creation and essentially left it as is. Other sources cite that the wife (now ex-wife) is very much alive, and the two divorced, with Mihaly still never completing his creation. 

Joe Sledge, the author of Did You See That? has visited the castle a few times. In his new book he writes, "There is a strange and haunting magic hidden in old castles, with their tall turrets and parapets. Gargoyles guard and terrify, making the building upon which they perch even more foreboding. Even as the castles age, the ghosts still abide the rules. Who knows how long the magic of an old castle remains. Maybe we can find out at Castle Mont Rouge." 

He goes on to describe what he witnessed when visiting the castle. " The building is not built in one specific style, with tall spires, onion domes of orthodox designs, and walls clad with marble. The cinder block construction was accented with wood floors.