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Constructed over nearly 40 years, the Winchester Mystery House is one of the most intriguing architectural masterpieces in the country, yet its story doesn't end there. When the owner Sarah Winchester began a never-ending project to expand the home, stories of her obsession became rampant, leading to talk of ghosts and a prolonged public curiosity with the building. Today, the historic home is open to the public, giving you a chance to see the bizarre structure in person. Here's a guide to help you on your visit. The Background Located at 525 South Winchester Blvd. in San Jose, the Winchester Mystery House was the creation of Sarah Winchester. As the heiress to the Winchester Repeating Arms Company, Winchester moved to San Jose from Connecticut shortly after the death of her husband and child to build a new home. Legend has it that a medium channeling Sarah's late husband told Sarah to build a home to ward off evil spirits who died at the hands of Winchester rifles. more Construction began in 1884 and, by some accounts, didn't stop for the next 38 years. In total, the mansion has 160 rooms, 10,000 windows, 2,000 doors, two basements, and tons of architectural oddities. Strange Additions While parts of the home appear normal, other areas of the mansion are strange. To some historians, these places were built to ward off paranormal activity or hide Sarah from spirits. Some of the strange additions to the home include a door that opens to a 15-foot drop into the yard, a door with an 8-foot drop into a kitchen sink, a cabinet that goes through 30 rooms of the house, Tiffany-style windows that don't get any sunlight, 47 fireplaces with just 17 chimneys, and several secret passages. The number 13 and spiderweb-influenced architecture occur throughout the home as well and are said to have been some of Sarah's preoccupations to keep away spirits. In Film In 2017, the filming of the movie "Winchester" starring Helen Mirren began in the Winchester Mystery House. Mirren plays Sarah Winchester, and the film depicts her life spent in efforts to escape the spirits of people who died at the hands of a Winchester gun. This loosely autobiographical film received mixed reviews, but the mansion as a backdrop provides a stunning visual spectacle. The Tour If you want to visit the mansion and get the most out of your trip, choose from one of four tour options. The basic mansion tour takes you through 110 of the home's 160 rooms, including the seance room, Sarah's bedroom, the $25,000 room, and more. Starting at $20, this ticket also offers admission to the gardens and two on-site museums. The Explore More Tour provides access to some areas of the home never before seen by the public. The Halloween Candlelight Tour and the Friday the 13th Flashlight Tour are also excellent options for a bit of a thrill as you explore the home at night. For an unforgettable visit to one of the country's most interesting, elaborate, beautiful, and yet strange homes, make sure to schedule a visit to the Winchester Mystery House. Photo by mindgrow | Licensed under cc BY-SA 2.0

In the beautiful suburb of San Jose, California, sits an iconic landmark that, until recently, has been well-known mostly to local residents. With the upcoming release of the movie inspired by this breathtaking mansion, however, the Winchester House has become famous all over the world. What is it about this house that has everybody so suddenly intrigued? Here are four interesting facts about the Winchester Mystery House. The House Is Named After Its Original Owner A common misconception about the Winchester Mystery House is that it derives its name from the city of Winchester in England. In fact, many people believe that's where the house is located. You may be surprised, then, to discover that the house is actually located on the West Coast of the United States. The mansion was named for its original mistress, Sarah Winchester, who purchased the property when it was nothing more than an unassuming farmhouse. more The House Was Under Construction for Nearly 40 Years When Sarah Winchester bought the original property, she immediately began construction to make it the mansion that exists today. Sarah was so obsessed with the construction of the house that a team of workers worked in rotating shifts nonstop. The house was under construction day and night, seven days a week, for 38 years. Construction would have likely continued indefinitely, had Sarah not passed away in 1922. Accounts of Sarah's death claim that construction stopped so abruptly, there are still half-hammered nails sticking out of walls all over the house. Nobody quite understands why Sarah was so obsessed with the mansion's construction, but many believe she was building out of fear because a psychic medium said her family's money was built on innocent blood. The house wasn't just for Sarah. It was for the souls of the innocents who lost their lives so the Winchesters could build their fortunes. The Entire House Is Designed to Be Confusing The entire mansion is filled with secret doors and passageways. Even those that weren't intentionally hidden are a confusing maze that weaves all over the interior of the home. Sarah was the architect and designer, with no master building plans ever being found, which has led to the belief that Sarah had no specific design in mind for the house. It is believed that the secretive and unusual design was meant to confuse the ghosts Sarah believed lived in the house with her to give her some respite from their constant torment. New secrets are constantly being discovered and it's entirely possible that the house may never be fully understood. The Winchester Mystery House is a conundrum that has stumped paranormal investigators for years. Sarah Winchester is the only one who really understood everything about the house. Since she's no longer around to question, the best that can be done is to rely on the accounts and records that are available for review. For more information, consider visiting the house yourself. Photo by HarshLight | Licensed under cc by 2.0