The ‘Xanadu’ mansion is an unexaggerated depiction of the real William Randolph Hearst’s estate

While it might seem like this massive mansion is a work of fiction, its actually based on a real place. As well, the film is based on a real person: publishing magnate William Randolph Hearst.

The actual Hearst Castle is located on 250,000 acres of land near Simeon, California, and has gardens, pools, terraces, massive rooms, 15th century painted ceilings that were imported from Europe and a zoo.