Abstract
Hearst Castle is one of the world's most famous public museums. Architect Julia Morgan built this magnificent building near San Simeon on the Pacific Coast in Central California for William Randolph Hearst between 1919-1947.
Architectural form is based mostly on examples of Mediterranean architecture from Spain and southern Italy. The private residence where Hearst hosted the famous Hollywood Society became a public cultural heritage in 1957.
Since that time visitors can admire Casa Grande and other suites, fulfilled with a highly rich collection of European works of art, mostly from the Medieval and Renaissance period. Everything is conserved in time and visitors can hence enjoy the atmosphere of the '30s.
The installation of works of art is one of a good example of so-called living history applied in the museum.