The iconic ‘Neptune’ pool at LA’s famous Hearst Castle is giving visitors the extremely rare chance to take a dip – but only if they pay THOUSAND dollars

The historic Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle – between Los Angeles and San Francisco – will open to visitors willing to shell out $1,000 for a swim.

On two occasions this month, guests will be allowed into the extravagant swimming pool, which is known to be very restrictive of both the public and the castle’s staff.

Hearst Castle is a 165-room estate in San Simeon, California, with spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean. It was once owned by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst.

According to The Foundation at Hearst Castle, the non-profit organization that oversees the property, the pool has been graced by the likes of Joan Crawford, Howard Hughes and Charlie Chaplin.

The lavish pool is lined with Vermont marble and served as the setting for Stanley Kubrick’s 1960 movie ‘Spartacus’. In 2014, Lady Gaga used the swimming pool to shoot a music video for the song ‘GUY’

The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle was renovated in 2018 for $10 million to repair cracks in the basin that caused it to leak about 5,000 of its 345,000 gallons each day

The lavish pool is lined with Vermont marble and served as the setting for Stanley Kubrick’s 1960 film ‘Spartacus’

Next to the pool are several Art Deco marble sculptures of Venus, cupids and mermaids

Access to the Neptune Pool is so fervently secured that the nonprofit has been criticized for denying volunteers and employees the pleasure of going swimming.

Historically, they were allowed in one day a year, but in 2018, after a $10 million pool renovation, that policy was changed, according to SF Gate.

The 104-foot pool is 3.5 feet deep on the west side, 10 feet at the drains, and holds 345,000 gallons of water. It reflects the palatial design of the castle and takes on a Greco-Roman style.

The castle itself imitates a variety of styles: Mediterranean Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, among others from the 1800s and 1900s.

Built between 1919 and 1947, the Neptune Pool has undergone multiple reincarnations over the past century. According to the Smithsonianin modern currency, the castle would have cost about $700 million to build.

Construction of the pool began in the 1920s and 1930s around the same time work began on the indoor pool, known as the Roman Pool.

The 2018 renovation repairs cracks in the basin that caused leakage of 5,000 liters per day – about one seventieth of its capacity.

The pool was once equipped with an oil-fired heating system, but because that no longer exists, swimmers are allowed to enter the water in a wetsuit.

Hearst Castle imitates a variety of styles: Mediterranean Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, 1800s and 1900s, among others

Visitors are seen next to the Neptune Pool in October 2010. Until 2018, the castle staff could swim in the pool once a year, but in 2018 that policy was changed

The Neptune outdoor swimming pool reflects the palatial design of the castle and has a Greco-Roman style. It is pictured after a 2018 renovation

Two events will be organized on August 19 and 26, with a total of about 90 people allowed to swim in the pool

Funds raised from the event’s 50 guests will reportedly go to the foundation’s STEAM programs for youth from underserved communities in California

On August 19 and 26, a total of 90 foundation members will have the chance to swim in the pool, but they will have to pay $1,000 each, and tickets will be sold on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Foundation membership alone starts at $500 per year.

The first event, on Aug. 19, will be “reminiscent of the old Hollywood gatherings hosted by William Randolph Hearst himself,” according to the foundation’s website.

Money raised from the event’s 50 guests will reportedly go to the foundation’s “STEAM Programs,” benefiting youth from underserved communities in California.

A second event, on August 26, is limited to 40 guests. It is not specified where the proceeds from the second event will go.