Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters

Take your next trip with Atlas Obscura!

Our small-group adventures are inspired by our Atlas of the world's most fascinating places, the stories behind them, and the people who bring them to life.

Visit Adventures
Trips Highlight
A view of Brașov’s Old Town.
Romania • 12 days, 11 nights
Legends of Romania: Castles, Ruins & Culinary Delights
from
Balkans road trip
Bosnia and Herzegovina • 9 days, 8 nights
Balkans Road Trip: Serbia, Croatia & Bosnia and Herzegovina
from
View all trips
Top Destinations
Latest Places
Most Popular Places Random Place Lists Itineraries
Add a Place
Download the App
Top Destinations
View All Destinations »

Countries

  • Australia
  • Canada
  • China
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Japan

Cities

  • Amsterdam
  • Barcelona
  • Beijing
  • Berlin
  • Boston
  • Budapest
  • Chicago
  • London
  • Los Angeles
  • Mexico City
  • Montreal
  • Moscow
  • New Orleans
  • New York City
  • Paris
  • Philadelphia
  • Rome
  • San Francisco
  • Seattle
  • Stockholm
  • Tokyo
  • Toronto
  • Vienna
  • Washington, D.C.
Latest Places
View All Places »
The ‘Old Secretariat’ government building in New Delhi.
The 'Old Secretariat'
This set is inspired by a Roman arena.
Bozdağ Film Platolari
The Sea Water Distilling Plant.
Sea Water Distilling Plant
Contemplative paths.
Ayo Rock Formations
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
The pavlova comes crowned with jewel-like fruit.
Central Park Boathouse
The Village Tavern of Long Grove - exterior.
The Village Tavern
Hunter House Hamburgers
L’Escamoteur
Names on the bartop.
The Dive
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Wortley built the wooden backpack she used while retracing Alexandra David-Néel’s journey from a chair she found on the street in London.
How Elise Wortley Climbed Mont Blanc in 1830s Women’s Attire
about 1 month ago
Simplicity is key: Just a slice of bread with a sprinkling of salt and pepper is the perfect accompaniment.
The Sweet Second Life of Creole Cream Cheese
about 1 month ago
My rendition of frog legs, popping mushroom curry, pad prik khing with salted egg yolk, and sweet khanom thuai.
Recreating My Favorite Meal From Thailand
about 1 month ago
Inside London’s Gorgeously Curated ‘Art Restaurants’
about 1 month ago

No search results found for
“”

Make sure words are spelled correctly.

Try searching for a travel destination.

Places near me Random place

Popular Destinations

  • Paris
  • London
  • New York
  • Berlin
  • Rome
  • Los Angeles
Trips Places Foods Stories Newsletters
Sign In Join
Places near me Random place
All the United States Vermont South Hero Miniature Castles of South Hero

Miniature Castles of South Hero

A gardener's enduring labor of love is spread throughout a small Vermont town.

South Hero, Vermont

Added By
andrewvolent
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
A castle on its leafy grounds.   Don Shall/Used With Permission
A castle on its leafy grounds.   Don Shall/Used With Permission
One of Barber’s castles.   Don Shall/Used With Permission
A castle up close.   Don Shall/Used With Permission
Another view of a castle.   Don Shall/Used With Permission
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

South Hero is a small, island town of fewer than 2,000 people, but its unique collection of miniature stone castles gives it a grand, fairytale feel. The castles were the passion project of Harry Barber, a Swiss immigrant-turned-local gardener, who built the stone fortresses as tributes to his home country.

Barber left his native Switzerland at age 21 after losing part of a finger in a mining accident. Accounts of his journey to North America vary, but he eventually settled in South Hero after marrying a local. He would work various jobs there for the rest of his life, carving out his legacy by adding these castles to the properties he gardened.

After the first few castles showed up, demand grew quickly. Each was made modestly from fieldstone, yet each is unique—some even have electrical wiring and running water in the moat! Others have drawbridges, glass windows, flags, and long spiral staircases. Local lore has it that the castles were so beloved by locals that they even became bartering chips.

Barber tragically died by suicide in 1966, but a selection of his castles continues to beautify South Hero to this day. They do honor to both his native and adopted homes.

Related Tags

Castles Islands Roadside Attractions Miniatures

Know Before You Go

The easiest way to see these castles is by biking around the island. There are several scattered along the main roads that are visible to passersby. The island is about a 25-minute drive from Burlington. 

Community Contributors

Added By

andrewvolent

Edited By

matthewtaub, GetWeird98

  • matthewtaub
  • GetWeird98

Published

August 13, 2018

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/vermont/barber-castles-vt/
  • https://urbanpostmortem.wordpress.com/2012/08/26/southhero/
  • https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Hero,_Vermont
Miniature Castles of South Hero
South Hero, Vermont
United States
44.645323, -73.302353

Nearby Places

Birdhouse Forest

South Hero, Vermont

miles away

DonnaSue Bakes + Cooks

Grand Isle, Vermont

miles away

Ausable Chasm

Keeseville, New York

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of South Hero

South Hero

Vermont

Places 2

Nearby Places

Birdhouse Forest

South Hero, Vermont

miles away

DonnaSue Bakes + Cooks

Grand Isle, Vermont

miles away

Ausable Chasm

Keeseville, New York

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of South Hero

South Hero

Vermont

Places 2

Related Places

  • Albertinia, South Africa

    Tuinplaas - Tiny Town

    A miniature park, fairy garden, milkshake bar, museum, and micronation in one.

  • Pleasantville, Pennsylvania

    The Little Village

    A collection of bite-sized buildings creates a magical mini village in the Pennsylvania mountains.

  • Piel Island from a distance

    Walney, England

    Piel Island

    On this small spit of land, the person who runs the public house is considered the King of Piel Island.

  • Castle Cornet

    Saint Peter Port, Guernsey

    Castle Cornet

    An 800-year-old island castle in Guernsey's main harbor.

  • Overview / sea view

    Greece

    Castle of Agia Mavra (Santa Maura)

    A seaside castle complex that stood through centuries of conquests.

  • Jericho of the New Testament & Uri, the Official Greeter.

    Lucedale, Mississippi

    Palestine Gardens

    This roadside attraction in the woods of Mississippi is a scalable replica of the Holy Lands during biblical times.

  • Waterbury, Connecticut

    Abandoned Fairy Village

    A miniature village lies nearly forgotten in the forest by the side of a major highway.

  • The tunnels are not wide enough for two cars to pass each other.

    Faroe Islands

    Faroe Islands One-Lane Tunnels

    The narrow passages will challenge even the bravest driver.

Aerial image of Vietnam, displaying the picturesque rice terraces, characterized by their layered, verdant fields.
Atlas Obscura Membership

Become an Atlas Obscura Member


Join our community of curious explorers.

Become a Member

Get Our Email Newsletter

Follow Us

Facebook YouTube TikTok Instagram Pinterest RSS Feed

Get the app

Download the App
Download on the Apple App Store Get it on Google Play
  • All Places
  • Latest Places
  • Most Popular
  • Places to Eat
  • Random
  • Nearby
  • Add a Place
  • Stories
  • Food & Drink
  • Itineraries
  • Lists
  • Video
  • Podcast
  • Newsletters
  • All Trips
  • Family Trip
  • Food & Drink
  • History & Culture
  • Wildlife & Nature
  • FAQ
  • Membership
  • Feedback & Ideas
  • Community Guidelines
  • Product Blog
  • Unique Gifts
  • Work With Us
  • About
  • FAQ
  • Advertise With Us
  • Advertising Guidelines
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms of Use
Atlas Obscura

© 2025 Atlas Obscura. All Rights Reserved.