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
Puglia Italy - Matera
Italy • 8 days, 7 nights
Southern Italy: Castles, Caves & Coastal Treasures in Puglia
from
Turkmenistan Gates of Hell Darvaza crater
Turkmenistan • 10 days, 9 nights
Turkmenistan & the Gates of Hell
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 Keelmen Mural
Conspiracies and monsters abound at Denver Airport.
‘Notre Denver’
Alai Minar
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Latest Places to Eat & Drink
View All Places to Eat »
Order a flight of infused ya dong shots.
Tep Bar
Thai-Chinese makes up Bangkok’s largest diaspora.
Nai Ek Roll Noodle
This fried chicken is one of Bangkok’s most famous.
Gai Tord Jae Kee
Chefs Aruss Lerlerstkull and Atcharaporn Kiatthanawat lean into regional traditions.
Charmgang
The khao soi at Gedhawa comes with a rich, coconutty broth.
Gedhawa
Recent Stories
All Stories Video Podcast
Most Recent Stories
View All Stories »
Ripples in the land are remnants of the field walls that once held rows of native sugarcane and sweet potatoes.
Unearthing the Mysteries of Hawai'i's Ancient Agriculture
about 9 hours ago
Petrified Forest National Park.
Beware the Legends Behind These National Park Souvenirs
4 days ago
For Aguilar-Carrasco, nature is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of all life.
How Can National Parks Be Made Accessible to All? AO Wants to Know.
4 days ago
Podcast: Finding ‘The Great Gatsby’ in Louisville
5 days 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 California South Lake Tahoe Vikingsholm Castle

Vikingsholm Castle

One woman's Viking Castle on Lake Tahoe.

South Lake Tahoe, California

Added By
Annetta Black
Email
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list
  Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
  Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
  Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
  Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
  Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
  Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
View of Fanette Island   Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
  Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
  Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
  Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
Dining room   Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
Servant’s quarters   Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
Servant’s quarters   Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
  Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
  Annetta Black/Atlas Obscura
Hood ornament   JFish / Atlas Obscura User
Grass Roof   JFish / Atlas Obscura User
Kitchen   JFish / Atlas Obscura User
Living Room   JFish / Atlas Obscura User
Main Entrance   JFish / Atlas Obscura User
Ornate exterior woodwork at the Vikingsholm carport.   cguttery / Atlas Obscura User
Master Bedroom   JFish / Atlas Obscura User
Been Here
Want to go
Added to list

About

Inspired by Scandinavian architecture and Viking lore, Vikingsholm Castle was built for Lora Josephine Knight in 1928-29 by 200 workers.

Before construction, ideas for Vikingsholm were gathered on a fact finding and photo mission to Scandinavia, where elements like the wooden reading nook were taken directly from existing historic buildings.

Antique locks and architectural details are worked in with locally sourced stone and wood, with some of the imported elements dating back as far as the 11th century.

In accordance with Knight's wishes, no trees were cut down to build Vikingsholm, a task her architect later described as one of the hardest tasks he's ever accomplished. As a result, the building is surrounded by towering trees.

Facing the blue green waters of Emerald Bay on Lake Tahoe, the building was her summer home and retreat, designed for entertaining her friends. Across the waters on Fanette Island, she had a small stone tea house built, which now stands in picturesque ruin.

Today the home is part of the Emerald Bay state park, and is open to tours during the summer months, with most of the furnishings still in place from the era of the original occupancy. Visitors with boats can explore the tea house on Fanette Island at any time.

Related Tags

Intriguing Environs Ecosystems

Community Contributors

Added By

Annetta Black

Edited By

JFish, cguttery

  • JFish
  • cguttery

Published

July 18, 2013

Edit this listing

Make an Edit
Add Photos
Sources
  • https://californiacrossings.com/vikingsholm-castle-lake-tahoe/
  • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vikingsholm
Vikingsholm Castle
11001 W Lake Blvd
South Lake Tahoe, California, 96150
United States
38.952263, -120.10689
Visit Website
Get Directions

Nearby Places

Genoa Bar & Saloon

Genoa, Nevada

miles away

Whiskey Creek Camp

Olympic Valley, California

miles away

Thunderbird Lodge

Incline Village, Nevada

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of California

California

United States

Places 1,494
Stories 135

Nearby Places

Genoa Bar & Saloon

Genoa, Nevada

miles away

Whiskey Creek Camp

Olympic Valley, California

miles away

Thunderbird Lodge

Incline Village, Nevada

miles away

Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of California

California

United States

Places 1,494
Stories 135

Related Stories and Lists

One-Line Adventures [August 14]

one line adventures

By Atlas Obscura

Related Places

  • Mystery Craters.

    South Kolan, Australia

    Mystery Craters

    The 25-million-year-old cavities have perplexed people for decades.

  • SPRUCE Experiment exterior.

    Bovey, Minnesota

    Marcell Experimental Forest

    A futuristic climate change study is nestled deep within this public land.

  • Hill of the Bells.

    Santiago de Querétaro, Mexico

    Cerro de las Campanas (Hill of Bells)

    When struck, the strange stones in this park ring like bells.

  • Guelta d’Archei.

    Chad

    Guelta d'Archei

    Camels and crocodiles share the black waters of this stunning Saharan oasis.

  • Krupaj Spring.

    Milanovac, Serbia

    Krupaj Spring

    Legends of treasure and spirits flow from this this fairy tale-like oasis.

  • Avshalom Cave.

    Israel

    Avshalom Cave

    This amazing ancient cave was kept secret for seven years to protect it from the public.

  • The salt lake becomes colorful in warm temperatures because of algae growth

    Yuncheng, China

    Yuncheng Salt Lake

    Rainbow-hued in the summer and crystalline in the winter, this salty lake has inspired battles, temples, and plenty of awe.

  • Waves rolling into Cannibal Cave.

    Rapa Nui, Chile

    Ana Kai Tangata (Cannibal Cave)

    The ominously named cave is home to some remarkable ancient art.

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.