Part of my trek through Central Park in Manhattan included checking out the Belvedere Castle. It’s free, which is always nice. And I can never pass up a tower with a ton of stairs and a good lookout.
According to wikipedia, the castle was built in 1869 as a Victorian folly (I had to look up folly; in this sense it means an ornate fancy building that also fulfills a utilitarian function). And Belvedere means “beautiful view,” which it has since it was built on the park’s second highest natural elevation in the Ramble.
A view from across Belvedere Lake.
A view of the tower.
A cockatrice atop a doorway. A cockatrice is kind of like a basilisk without any front legs, and can turn people to stone with its stare.
Looking down on the lake and a goose.
A view to the east of the park.
Looking out over the Ramble, I think, so this would be south.
I'm not sure what this building is but it looks cool.
A view to the west.
11 Miles to Cool 