Behind its impressive façade, this spectacular marble residence in Newport, Rhode Island is so much more than a house. An architectural showpiece and – above all – a statement of wealth and power for the Vanderbilt family, it is one of the most elaborate of the Gilded Age summer 'cottages' in this playground of the super-rich.

Costing the modern equivalent of $384 million (£303m) to build, the story behind Marble House is rife with historical intrigue, 19th-century opulence and naked social ambition.

Click or scroll through the gallery to tour this stunning stone palace with a fascinating tale to tell…

Step inside the Vanderbilts' dazzling Gilded Age mansion