Winchester Mystery House, San Jose

Mrs Winchester, taken by the building craze, insisted on drawing up all the plans herself, although she was far from being a trained architect. Numerous curiosities were the result: staircases leading nowhere - one even ended at the ceiling - doors opening on to blank walls and windows which are nothing of the sort because they do not look out on to anything. The entrance hall was big enough for her coach to drive into. She bought so much furniture that most of it lay unused in the cellars.SuperstitionThe number 13 occurs conspicuously often in the construction of this house. There are 13 bathrooms, many of the rooms have 13 windows, several windows of Tiffany glass exhibit 13 jewels; there are rooms with 13 wooden panels, many of the staircases have 13 steps and 13 coat hooks can be counted in the bedrooms. Superstition? A fortune-teller is supposed to have advised her, following the death of her husband, to build a house to protect herself from the ghosts of all those who had been killed by a Winchester rifle.Today visitors are treated to staircases that lead nowhere, confusing hallways, and secret passageways through the walls. The home is quite spectacularly decorated with Tiffany Art Glass, chandeliers plated with gold and silver, finely crafted cabinets, and mahogany floors. The grand ballroom was assembled without using any nails. The home is set in beautifully landscaped grounds replete with swaying palm trees and ornate gardens.