Most people see the beauty of the Biltmore. You’re going to see the brilliance.
Most people see the beauty of the Biltmore. You’re going to see the brilliance.
Rafael Guastavino became a legend by fireproofing the Gilded Age, transforming American architecture with his signature tile vaulting. His work at the Biltmore House stands as one of his best examples of his work and technique.
After finishing Biltmore, Guastavino chose not to leave the region. Instead, he settled in the Swannanoa Valley, where he built a distinctive “Spanish Castle,” established a working farm, and constructed a tile kiln on his property in Black Mountain. The Rhododendron Estate became his home and livelihood—a place where architecture, land, and family life intersected.
Join us for a two-day guided journey that traces Guastavino’s story in reverse—from masterpiece to home.
✨ Important: This is a two-day tour experience. One ticket includes admission to both days.
When: March 24 & 25
Where:
• March 24 – Rhododendron Estate (Christmount, Black Mountain), 10:00 AM–12:00 PM
• March 25 – Guastavino’s work at the Biltmore House, 9:00 AM–12:00 PM
From grand halls to kiln-fired tile and valley farmland, this is Guastavino’s legacy—seen whole, in the places that mattered most.
Note on Timing: While we strive to stick to our schedule, tour lengths are approximate. Depending on group pace and Q&A, tours may run slightly shorter or longer than the stated times. After the tour you are welcome to explore the ruins of the Rhododendron Estate and The Biltmore House grounds on your own.
Price: $100 – Non members, $90 – Members
***Note: Biltmore Pass Holders receive a special discount on this tour. Please contact SVM Director LeAnne Johnson (svmdirector@history.swannanoavalleymuseum.org) to verify your pass and receive your reduced rate.***
DAY 1: THE LAB (The Rhododendron Estate Ruins)
March 24th | Black Mountain, NC Our journey begins at the Rhododendron Estate ( Christmount Black Mountain, NC ), the 600-acre estate Guastavino created after Biltmore was completed. This was his sanctuary and his testing ground.
- The Experimental Kilns: Stand before the massive brick beehive kilns where Guastavino spent his final years experimenting with the “Next Generation” of sound-absorbing and waterproof tiles.
- The “Spanish Castle” Ruins: Walk through the foundations of his 25-room mansion and see his signature vaulting in the hillside wine cellar.
- The Architect’s Heart: Discover why the man who built for the titans of industry chose the quiet of the Swannanoa Valley for his final masterpiece.
DAY 2: Guastavino’s Biltmore (Biltmore House)
March 25th | Asheville, NC With the “science” of the kilns fresh in your mind, we enter the Biltmore House to see the project that first brought Guastavino to North Carolina.
- The Professional Peak: See the structural vaults that support the Grand Staircase and the Library’s massive weight—the very work that cemented his reputation.
- Fireproof Luxury: Explore the kitchens and the legendary indoor swimming pool to see why his “cohesive construction” has survived 130 years of mountain history.
- A New Perspective: You’ve seen the ruins of where he ended; now see the halls where his North Carolina legacy began.