Montezuma's Castle

Montezuma's Castle, Camp Verde, Arizona

Neither a castle nor associated with the Aztec emperor, Montezuma's Castle in Camp Verde, Arizona is actually a group of limestone dwellings likely constructed about 1,000 years ago by the Sinagua people of the Verde Valley.

Montezuma's Castle, Camp Verde, Arizona

The structure is an engineering marvel. The Sinagua used limestone blocks from the base of mountain and mortar of clay from river bottom to build the dwellings almost 100 feet above the river on the side of the cliff.

You can't go inside the building due to safety issues, but standing below, you can't help but ponder the incredible skill and muscle it took the Sinagua to create this edifice.

Montezuma's Castle, Camp Verde, Arizona

If you go: Montezuma's Castle is easy to get to by car. About 90 minutes north of Phoenix, it's just off I-17 North. Take Exit 289. There's a visitors' center at the site which has artifacts from the Sinagua culture.
***
If you enjoyed this story, you might like my novel Truffle Hunt
Order the Truffle Hunt ebook at Amazon
Order a softcover copy of Truffle Hunt at Eckhartz Press