A FAIRYTALE castle on a Yan Yean hilltop holds a secret that may never be solved.
Folklore has it that the romantic reason for it being built in the 1840s was a shepherd taking his boss’s offhand comment seriously.
Pastoralist John Bear was leaving on a long trip and his shepherd asked what he wanted done while he was gone. “Build me a castle,” he said.
So the shepherd did – or so the story goes.
Whittlesea historian Lindsay Mann argues that this is merely a myth, and the castle was built at the behest of Mr Bear’s wife, who had become terrified of bushrangers.
This month the public has a rare opportunity to see Bear’s Castle, which is locked behind gates on Melbourne Water property in the Yan Yean reservoir catchment.
Melbourne Water heritage services co-ordinator Paul Balassone said the castle could be unique in Australia but its “cob construction” of clay, sand, straw and water was used in the UK.
Mr Mann said bushrangers were marauding in the area in 1842 and hit 13 stations, including the Bear homestead when Mr Bear was away and his wife and daughter were alone.
Mr Bear apparently wrote to his home town in the county of Devon, England, and organised for a builder to be sent out to build the castle.
Bear’s Castle will be open to the public on Sunday, October 21, for morning and afternoon sessions. Details: call 9217 2174.
