The Aquatic Wonder of Coral Gables
October 11, 2012Florida has many attractions that make it a wonderful vacation destination, but there are none quite as unique as its Venetian Pool. Hundreds of thousands of people visit this amazing facility every year for an unforgettable and truly, one-of-a-kind experience.
The pool originally opened in 1924 and was then known as the Venetian Casino. It quickly became the haunt of major celebrities at that time including Johnny Weissmuller (best known for his role as Tarzan) and Esther Williams. Orchestrated concerts were often hosted at the site; the pool would be drained of its entire 820,000 gallons of water and the band would perform from the bottom!
The pool was completely renovated in 1989 and additional improvements were performed again in 2009 lasting until 2010. Careful attention was paid to preserve as much of the original history of the pool as possible and to maintain the same atmosphere as was present so many years ago. Today visitors can still experience the rich history of this site as they marvel at the many historic photographs located throughout the entry fountain room. True to the vision of founder George Merrick, architect Phineas Paist and artist Denman Fink, the Venetian Pool is the only swimming pool in the country that is included in The National Register of Historic Places.
Although the pool is an incredible site to see, it is not the only reason to visit this beautiful location. There are two large lookout towers here that provide a panoramic view of Coral Gables, which is absolutely breathtaking. The 2 waterfalls are equally impressive and the cave like grottos provides visitors with the swimming experience of a lifetime. Palm trees, spread throughout the area, porticos, and loggias further enhance the natural feel of the place and the enticing and romantic bridge is a “must” see for any visitor!
