Rosicrucian Park

Rosicrucian Park, located in San Jose, California, is a unique cultural and educational space that occupies an entire city block. Established in 1927 by H. Spencer Lewis, the founder of the Rosicrucian Order, AMORC, the park has grown from a single lot to a 5-acre complex.

The park is home to several buildings inspired by Egyptian and Moorish architecture, creating a distinct visual atmosphere. At the heart of the park lies the Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum, which houses the largest collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts on display in Western North America. The museum attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, including many school children, making it a significant educational resource.

In addition to the museum, Rosicrucian Park features other notable structures and spaces. The Grand Temple, dedicated in 1949, is a reproduction of two ancient Egyptian temples. Its exterior resembles the temple of Dendera, while its interior is modeled after the processional temple of Medinet Habu. The park also includes a Planetarium, one of the first built in the United States, which opened to the public in 1936.

The grounds of Rosicrucian Park are carefully landscaped, featuring a variety of plants including palm trees, drought-resistant grasses, cactus, roses, ferns, and native flowers and trees. A central fountain plaza adds to the park's tranquil atmosphere. The Peace Garden, added in 2004, is an educational space authentic to the Eighteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt, based on examples from the city of Akhetaton (now called Amarna).

Rosicrucian Park serves not only as a tourist attraction but also as a center for spiritual and philosophical activities. It hosts daily meditations and serves as the headquarters for the English Grand Lodge for the Americas of the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis.