San Jose - Winchester Mystery House

Superstition

The 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.