Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights set to re-open in March

PHOENIX - Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights will re-open in March, the first time in more than six years the public can view the property.

Tovrea Castle was built in the late 1920's as a hotel and garden.

"It's the castle that my grandfather dreamt about," said Marie Cunningham, whose grandfather, Alessio Carraro, built.

Carraro sold the property to the Tovrea family, which helped coin the name Tovrea Castle at Carraro Heights. The property has sat largely unused for decades. The City of Phoenix acquired the land in the early 1990's. Since 2005, the property has been closed to the public as volunteers restored the castle.

"I think it's one of the most important historical structures in the city of Phoenix," said J David Smith with the Tovrea-Carraro Society, who helped restore the property.

Smith said there have been lots of nicknames and myths about the castle, such as a myth Al Capone once lived there, and is excited for it to re-open.

Tovrea Castle will open to the public March 10. You will need to book a tour ahead of time, rather than just showing up due to fire code restrictions. For more information, visit the castle's website .