Palace of Gold

MotorHome Magazine | June 2002

Appalachia glimmers in the hidden heights of Moundsville, West Virginia, where an actual palace, gilded  in gold, awaits visitors.  

The Palace of Gold was built without an  architect or a blueprint by members of the a New Vrindaban Community, an ideal society based on Krishna Consciousness, as a home for their leader, Srila Prabhupada.

Fifty varieties of highly polished marble adorn 35,000-square-foot interiors. The temple hall alone has more than 8,000 square feet of 22-carat gold leaf. Numerous stained-glass windows depict ornate peacocks that glow in sunlight while illuminating ceilings of delicate paintings. The palace is surrounded by gardens with a view of three states: Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.

Guided tours are offered year-round for a $6 donation. For directions or details, call (304) 843-1812, or log on to www.palaceofgold.com.