Kryal Castle, Medieval theme park in Leigh Creek, Australia
Kryal Castle is a medieval complex in Leigh Creek, Victoria, located eight kilometres east of Ballarat. The grounds contain a fortified courtyard with towers, a maze area, and arenas for knightly displays.
Keith Ryall began building the castle in 1972 after earning his fortune selling protective equipment. The site opened to the public in 1974 as a place of entertainment.
The site hosts jousting tournaments and stage plays where actors in historical costumes recreate medieval European traditions. Jugglers and fire shows add to the programme, letting visitors step into a different era.
The park sits roughly 90 minutes west of Melbourne and is reachable by car through rural roads. On-site lodging and day passes are available for visitors of all ages.
The castle was listed for sale in 2007 at $10 million and drew interest from buyers who wanted to turn it into a medieval-style brothel. It sold instead in January 2011 to Jay Finch and Wendy Alexander, but ownership returned to Keith Ryall that August when payment could not be completed.
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