Location: 20 km South of Kraljevo Map
Constructed: 13th century
Maglič Castle is located 20 km South of Kraljevo in the gorge of Ibar river. The fortress of Maglič was constructed in the 13th century by Stephen I as a defensive measure to protect nearby monasteries of Studenica and Zica. In the 14th century served as a seat of Archbishop Danilo II, who was also famous as a historian and an author of biographies of Serbian rulers. Ottoman Turks captured the Maglič citadel in 1459 and occupied it. During the Great Turkish War (1683–1699) the Serbs briefly retook the possession of the castle, but soon lost it to Turks. Due to military advancements Maglic Castle lost its military importance and its walls were abandoned by permanent garrison of soldiers. During the Second Serbian Uprising (1815-1817) crumbled walls served the Serbs under leadership of Voivod (military leader) Radoslav Jelečanin as a site for ambushes. The citadel was build on top of a strategic location. Seven towers defended Maglič Castle. It also contained a palace, church and military barracks those ruins in different level of preservation are still visible. Two restorations took place in Maglič Castle. One was in 1920's and another one in 1980's.
The magician William W. Larsen Sr. (1904–1953) from the Larsen
family, founder of the magician magazine Genii, started his idea for
such a colleagues' club in April 1952. The first members were
automatically Genii's subscribers. The idea died again when Larsen died
shortly afterwards in 1953. Larsen's wife and partner Geri (1906-1998)
and eldest son Bill Larsen Jr. (1928-1993) continued to publish the
magazine, but they did not take care of the further development of the
club.
Younger son Milt Larsen began building a venue for magic
performances in 1961. In parallel to these activities, which led to the
purchase of The Magic Castle and the construction of the club and event
house in 1963, he convinced his older brother Bill Junior to take up his
father's idea and set up the Academy of Magical Arts, the membership
organization that matched the clubhouse. This time too, Genii
subscribers enjoyed membership. Brother Bill became the first chairman,
while the first board of directors consisted of George Boston, Norman
Carroll (who died before taking office), Alvin Jansen, Harry Mendoza and
Frederick Shields.
The Magic Castle is considered a landmark in Hollywood, Los Angeles.
It is the private clubhouse of the Academy of Magical Arts. Only members
and their guests are permitted to attend performances in the clubhouse.
The structure is a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. The
building was built in 1908 in the Victorian style. In 1963, the building
on Franklin Avenue was taken over by the Larsens.
The castle is a
popular travel destination for magicians from all over the world. The
building itself is constructed as a clever illusion, as it appears to be
much larger on the inside than it appears from the outside. The Castle
is a private club open only to members and their guests. There is also a
dress code (suit and tie for men, evening or cocktail dress for women).
The most important member was Dai Vernon. Many famous amateur
magicians such as Neil Patrick Harris, Cary Grant, Steve Martin, Johnny
Carson and Jason Alexander from Seinfeld have also performed in this
building. In the television series The Magician, the clubhouse is used
as the home of the protagonist played by Bill Bixby.
The Magic
Castle offers a weekly changing program of performers, both in the
close-up and stage magic categories.
In addition to usual memberships, the Academy of Magical Arts awards
so-called Honorary Life Memberships and VIP Memberships. The highest
honor available is the Masters Fellowship.
Annually at the
Academy of Magical Arts Awards Show and Banquet, prizes are awarded to
the best performers at the Castle over the past year in the following
categories:
Comedy Magician of the Year
Bar Magician of the Year
Stage Magician of the Year
Close-Up Magician of the Year
Parlor
Magician of the Year
Lecturer of the Year
Junior Achievement Award
There are also honors for literature (Literary Fellowship), life's
work (Lifetime Achievement Fellowship), the Performing Fellowship, the
Creative Fellowship and the Special Fellowship. However, artists who
have not performed at the Magic Castle during the year can also receive
the honor of Magician of the Year.