THE BEGINNINGS
OF A BEAUTIFUL STORY
The Kentucky Castle is a unique property with a storied history. Previously known as Castle Post, Martin Castle, and the Versailles Castle, this 110-acre estate is located just outside of Lexington in Versailles, Kentucky.
Rex Martin and his wife Caroline Bogaert Martin began construction on the castle in 1969, after they were inspired by the beautiful architecture of Europe during their honeymoon. In spite of an ambitious start, construction met with many obstacles over the next few years and was ultimately halted completely when the Martins divorced in 1975. Despite the castle being put up for sale, the property never sold. As the unfinished castle sat vacant for almost 30 years, tourists became captivated by it as a roadside attraction.
Following Mr. Martin's death in 2003, the so-called "Martin Castle" was sold to Thomas R. Post, a Miami lawyer with Kentucky roots. Renovations began that same year and the name was changed to "The Castle Post." Tragically, the main building caught fire in May of 2004 and the majority of the original structure was destroyed. Before the fire, Post had been renovating the building but was committed to rebuilding it.
Reconstruction was completed in 2007 when Mr. Post opened up a bed & breakfast in the updated building. New additions included luxury suites, a ballroom, library, tennis courts, and a swimming pool. Despite the updates, only guests of the B&B and occasional special events were granted access to the grounds. Castle Post remained a mysterious point of intrigue for locals until it was sold again in 2017 and named “The Kentucky Castle.”
Over the last five years, our new owners have devoted themselves to bringing new life to the castle grounds offering memorable and unique experiences. Today, The Kentucky Castle offers boutique hotel accommodations, an estate-grown farm-to-table restaurant, and an event center for both private and public gatherings.
See the rest of the story first-hand by booking a castle tour with one of our knowledgeable guides and discover the past, present, and future of our castle.