The Breakers, Newport (must see)
Nestled along the picturesque coastline of Newport, The Breakers stands as a symbol of opulence and grandeur from the Gilded Age, an era when America's elite families reveled in their wealth and sought to create architectural marvels. This magnificent mansion was commissioned by Cornelius Vanderbilt II, scion of the illustrious Vanderbilt family, as a splendid summer retreat. Today, The Breakers stands as a testament to their vision and extravagance.
The Breakers, a true masterpiece, was constructed between 1893 and 1895 under the guidance of acclaimed architect Richard Morris Hunt. It was designed in the Renaissance Revival style, showcasing exquisite architectural elements that transport visitors to another era. The 70-room mansion boasts a sprawling 138,300 square feet of grandeur, with 62,482 square feet of living space spread across five luxurious floors.
As you approach The Breakers along Ochre Point Avenue, you are greeted by magnificent sculpted iron gates, offering a mere glimpse of the splendor within. The mansion is surrounded by a 12-foot-high limestone-and-iron fence, enhancing its aura of exclusivity. The building's footprint occupies roughly one acre of the estate's 14 acres, providing breathtaking views of Easton Bay in the Atlantic Ocean.
In recognition of its historical significance, The Breakers was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and received the prestigious designation of National Historic Landmark in 1994. It also plays a vital role in the Bellevue Avenue Historic District. Today, it is operated and maintained by the Newport Preservation Society, welcoming visitors year-round to explore its timeless elegance.
The interiors of The Breakers are nothing short of extraordinary. Imported marble from Italy and Africa, along with rare woods and mosaics from far-flung corners of the world, adorn the mansion's chambers. Architectural elements sourced from French chateaux contribute to its timeless elegance. The library mantel, for example, hails from a French chateau and now graces The Breakers.
This architectural wonder encapsulates the essence of the "Gilded Age," a time when Vanderbilt family members were among the most prominent industrialists in America. Upon its completion in 1895, The Breakers was not just the largest but also the most opulent house in Newport.
The Breakers, a true masterpiece, was constructed between 1893 and 1895 under the guidance of acclaimed architect Richard Morris Hunt. It was designed in the Renaissance Revival style, showcasing exquisite architectural elements that transport visitors to another era. The 70-room mansion boasts a sprawling 138,300 square feet of grandeur, with 62,482 square feet of living space spread across five luxurious floors.
As you approach The Breakers along Ochre Point Avenue, you are greeted by magnificent sculpted iron gates, offering a mere glimpse of the splendor within. The mansion is surrounded by a 12-foot-high limestone-and-iron fence, enhancing its aura of exclusivity. The building's footprint occupies roughly one acre of the estate's 14 acres, providing breathtaking views of Easton Bay in the Atlantic Ocean.
In recognition of its historical significance, The Breakers was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1971 and received the prestigious designation of National Historic Landmark in 1994. It also plays a vital role in the Bellevue Avenue Historic District. Today, it is operated and maintained by the Newport Preservation Society, welcoming visitors year-round to explore its timeless elegance.
The interiors of The Breakers are nothing short of extraordinary. Imported marble from Italy and Africa, along with rare woods and mosaics from far-flung corners of the world, adorn the mansion's chambers. Architectural elements sourced from French chateaux contribute to its timeless elegance. The library mantel, for example, hails from a French chateau and now graces The Breakers.
This architectural wonder encapsulates the essence of the "Gilded Age," a time when Vanderbilt family members were among the most prominent industrialists in America. Upon its completion in 1895, The Breakers was not just the largest but also the most opulent house in Newport.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Newport. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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The Breakers on Map
Sight Name: The Breakers
Sight Location: Newport, USA (See walking tours in Newport)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Newport, USA (See walking tours in Newport)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Newport, Rhode Island
Create Your Own Walk in Newport
Creating your own self-guided walk in Newport is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Newport Historic District Walking Tour
The Newport Historic District covers 250 acres (100 hectares) in the center of Newport, Rhode Island, and has been a National Historic Landmark since 1968. Home to an extensive and well-preserved assortment of intact colonial buildings dating from the early to mid-18th century, the collection of colonial buildings here is incomparable to anywhere else in the US. So much so in fact, that in 1997,... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Bellevue Avenue Historic District Walking Tour
Situated along and around Bellevue Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island, the Bellevue Avenue Historic District is almost exclusively residential, featuring many of the Gilded Age mansions built as summer retreats for the rich and famous around the turn of the 20th century. For the most part, these exquisite properties, once owned by the likes of the Vanderbilt and Astor families, represent pioneering... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.5 Km or 2.8 Miles
Newport Introduction Walking Tour
Newport, Rhode Island, is where history meets coastal charm... From its origins as a shipbuilding port to its place today as America's yachting capital, Newport has been tied to the sea.
The city was founded in 1639 on Rhode Island, now known as Aquidneck Island, and was named after the town of Newport in Shropshire, England. Its history is a tapestry of religious tolerance and maritime... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles
The city was founded in 1639 on Rhode Island, now known as Aquidneck Island, and was named after the town of Newport in Shropshire, England. Its history is a tapestry of religious tolerance and maritime... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.0 Km or 2.5 Miles