LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- A five-story home designed to look like a Medieval castle is up for sale in southern Indiana. 

The Birdsell Castle, on Dave Carr Road just off the Ohio River Scenic Bypass in Charlestown, is back on the market for just under $1 million — about four years after it was last up for sale. The five-story home comes with a courtyard, matching woodshed, unicorn fixtures and a spiral staircase.

When you first walk across the bridge outside the house, there's an option to go downstairs or head to the main living quarters. Two staircases lead to the master bedroom and bathroom with a walk-in closet.

The house boasts three bedrooms and 2 1/2 baths, as well as more unusual amenities like a formal dining room and Great dining hall, and four Noble rooms, a library, seamstress shop, weapons shop, ballroom and apothecary, according to the listing on GreenTree Real Estate Services website. There's even a "dungeon" with a "prison cell and pirates deck."

The property includes six garage bays that have been turned into a Blacksmith shop. A catwalk surrounds the courtyard, which includes a mermaid pond, beer garden, and two stages for entertaining.  

And yes, according to the listing there's also a moat "with defense towers to keep the bad guys away."

Dave Birdsell bought it sight unseen from the original owner, Peggy Griffin, in 2021. Griffin's late husband built the castle in 1997. 

The listing agent on the property for Green Tree is Denise Taylor, the niece of the Griffins who built and owned the castle. She sold the property for her aunt, and she is facilitating the sale again for Birdsell.

"It's going to take a very special person to buy this lot," she said, adding that her uncle would be proud of what it looks like now.

The property — which originally served as a water reservoir for Charlestown's now defunct Army ammunition plant — has hosted special Medieval-themed events since, including the Southern Indiana Renaissance Festival in 2022.  

"It's like living in a fortress," Birdsell said. "When I'm locked down at night, I have no worries in the world."

Birdsell has gotten good use out of the castle, hosting events and even  adding rooms to accommodate short-term rental guests.

He's still planning to host a renaissance fair at the castle over three weekends in October.

"We'll have live horseback jousting, 100 vendors, this place will go crazy," he said. "You don't really truly see the castle until it's in its full glory of everybody being here."

Asked what he hopes of the future owners, he said he'd ask that they maintain it as a castle, and that he'd like to see a family move in next.

"Could you imagine the school bus picking you up with all the kids on the school bus and you're walking out of your castle?"

If you're interested in learning more about the property or would like to schedule a tour, call 812-989-3134.

IMAGES | 'Castle' for sale in southern Indiana

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