While the United States does not have medieval castles in the European sense (built for feudal defense between the 5th and 15th centuries), there are hundreds of "American Castles" built as luxury residences, military fortifications, or eccentric follies. Estimates suggest there are over 150 to 200 significant castle-like structures across the country. Many were built during the Gilded Age by wealthy industrialists who wanted to replicate European grandeur; famous examples include Hearst Castle in California and the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina. Others, like Castello di Amorosa in Napa Valley, are authentic recreations built using period-accurate techniques. There are also "modern" follies like Bishop Castle in Colorado, built by a single man over decades. Military forts, such as Fort Fortress Monroe in Virginia, also feature "castle" architecture. While they lack the ancient lineage of the Rhine or the Loire Valley, these American iterations reflect a fascination with the "Old World" and serve as popular tourist landmarks, showcasing architectural styles ranging from Gothic Revival to Romanesque, often featuring moats, turrets, and drawbridges.