STAY TUNED A FUND RAISING DINNER IS BEING PLANNED TO HELP WITH SOME NEEDED RENOVATIONS AT THE VILLA KATHRINE.  THIS EVENING WILL FEATURE PHOTO JOURNALIST PHIL PASQUINI AND THE PRESENTATION OF HIS NEW BOOK FEATURING ISLAMIC ARCHITECTURE THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES WHICH   INCLUDES THE VILLA KATHRINE AND MUCH MORE.  THIS WILL BE A SPECIAL EVENING THAT YOU WILL NOT WANT TO MISS!  

SEPTEMBER 8TH SAVE THE DATE!

Quincy’s Tourist Information Center &
Great River Road Interpretive Center 

Welcoming the World to Quincy, Illinois 

The Villa Kathrine is a unique example of Mediterranean architecture in the Midwest.  Located on a bluff with a breath-taking view of the famous Mississippi River, the Islamic residence built in 1900, is listed on both the National Register of Historic Places and the Illinois Register of Historic Places. 

Built for Quincy native and world traveler George Metz, and based on his sketches of villas in various parts of the Islamic world, the Villa Kathrine was built and trimmed with local materials.  George Behrensmeyer was the architect. 

It is modeled after the Villa ben Ahben in Morocco and has a number of interesting features, including a “harem room” and a courtyard surrounding a marble mosaic reflecting pool.  A replica of the Mosque of Thais in Tunisia surmounts the main tower with waving stripes as decoration covered by a dome. 

Individual and Group Tours are available, and the building and grounds are available to rent (click on events tab). 

Restored and maintained by Friends of the Castle, they operate it year round with Volunteer Hosts, and cordially invite you to visit.