Attraction Guide: Winchester Mystery House, San Jose, United States

Winchester Mystery House Guide

Winchester Mystery House: A Victorian Labyrinth of the Bizarre Guide

The Winchester Mystery House in San Jose is a unique and intriguing Victorian mansion with a bizarre history. Built by Sarah Winchester, the widow of gun magnate William Wirt Winchester, the house is filled with architectural oddities, secret passages, and dead-end hallways. It's a fascinating and slightly spooky destination that attracts visitors from around the world. After the death of her husband and infant daughter, Sarah Winchester sought guidance from a spiritualist who told her that she was being haunted by the spirits of those killed by Winchester rifles. The spiritualist advised her to move west and build a house that would never be completed, in order to appease the spirits. Construction on the Winchester House began in 1886 and continued until Sarah's death in 1922. The result is a sprawling, eccentric mansion with over 160 rooms, 10,000 windows, 2,000 doors, 47 fireplaces, 40 staircases, 13 bathrooms, and 6 kitchens. Visitors can take guided tours of the Winchester Mystery House, exploring the mansion's many rooms and learning about its strange history. The tours offer a glimpse into Sarah Winchester's life and the beliefs that drove her to build such an unusual home. The house also hosts special events throughout the year, including Halloween tours and holiday celebrations. While the Winchester Mystery House doesn't have its own restaurant, there are many dining options nearby in San Jose, offering a variety of cuisines.