Ontario is home to a few… oddities, for lack of a better word, but they definitely leave us in awe. That being said, a trip to see the “Screaming Heads” at Midlothian Castle and Gallery is a must and here’s why.
About a three-hour drive north of Toronto is Burk’s Falls. At 925 Midlothian Rd., you’ll find this hidden gem.
The story behind the “Screaming Heads”
According to Explore Almaguin, this fascinating spot is the creative project and home of a retired art teacher named Peter Camani.
Not only was he a former teacher, but also a renowned artist. Some of his paintings are displayed in a few of the world’s most prestigious locations, including the Vatican and Buckingham Palace, according to the site.
The entire 310-acre farm has been transformed into a sculpture garden and artistic structure known as Midlothian Castle.
What’s described as an “unusual residence” is surrounded by over 100 larger-than-life sculptures. Each one stands about 20 feet tall and weighs up to 30 tonnes.
Among these sculptures are some carvings that resemble faces with their mouths wide open, which is why they’re named “screaming heads.”
“The castle, a former farmhouse, is guarded by a fire-breathing dragon which sits on the chimney and emits smoke whenever the fireplace is used. Gargoyles sit atop a fence surrounding the castle,” shares the tourism site.
Gargoyles also sit atop a fence that surrounds the castle.
And the sculpture continues his 30-year drive of adding to his collection.
“There is now the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse and the Primeval Forest,” shares the site. “The Primeval Forest is comprised of 80 screaming concrete trees, roughly 18 feet (six metres) tall, with a treed ridge and fantastic sunsets as the backdrop.”
There is meaning behind his project, too. According to Explore Almaguin, these otherworldly creations serve as a “warning about environmental degradation.”
Visitors are invited to wander the magical property and explore Camani’s ever-evolving collection of works.
It’s free to visit, but there is a donation box at the entrance for those who wish to support his art.
Now who’s ready for this adventure?
Where: Midlothian Road, 5 km from Highway 520, Burk’s Falls, Ont.
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