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Inspired by Venice's timeless allure - circus man John Ringling and his wife -created Cà d'Zan along Sarasota Bay. Beauty, whimsey and fun still greet visitors today.
Made wealthy through the circus bearing the family name, and other investments, John Ringling, and his adored wife Mable, first wintered in Sarasota, Florida in 1912. Spurred by the area’s balmy breezes, succulent plant life and white sand beaches they bought massive tracks of real estate until nearly 25% of Sarasota was theirs. Even the famed Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus benefited from the boss’ Floridian love affair. By the late 20’s the organization had relocated south for its winter home. Traveling to Europe, as circue people, the Ringlings fostered a love of many art disciplines – especially Italian. With plans of building a Ritz Carlton hotel, on nearby Longboat Key, John collected vast reserves of stonework, fountains and bronzed copies of antique and Renaissance statuary. Mable filled notebooks with postcards and sketches for architects. Ringling’s career as an hotelier never materialized, but luckily for Florida residents and her visitors, a dazzling beauty now sits along Sarasota Bay’s shoreline. Cà d'Zan translates ,from the Venetian dialect ,into “House of John”, and the Italiancity’s influences are evident throughout. Terra cotta was a key material from exterior glazed tiles in hues of red, yellow, blue, green and ivory set for both aesthetic styling and to withstand the unrelenting sun to balustrades enclosing an outdoor marble terrace facing the bay. Inside the feel of gothic Venice continues. Handmade tinted windows fuse sunshine into puddles of multiple colors. An interior open court is the mansion’s focal point with hand-painted ceilings, Flemish tapestries and life sized portraits of the Ringling’s among the diverse décor. Never forgetting their humble roots, the couple opening a public art museum in 1927. The early exhibits came from the the Ringling's own large collection, which they had amassed over the previous two decades. Despite its world-class collections the Ringling Art Museum is not stuffy. Instead everyone young, old and in-between is invited to simply enjoy the facility. Even in the most formal galleries – one might discover a child skipping happily past Rubens' masterpiece, The Four Evangelists or an impromptu Romeo and Juliet balcony scene occurring from the loggias down to the Greek and Roman god and goddess studded gardens below. Newly opened the Searing Wing has recently begun hosting the museums major exhibitions. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls and children of all ages is there better place for a Circus Museum than here? Three rings of exhibits including the world’s largest miniature circus and flamboyant posters hail the history of this entertainment from ancient times to its modern status. Time is needed to appreciate all that the Ringling can offer, so allow an absolute minimum of four hours. The whole day is the best option. Have time to find delight in the grounds. Walk through Mable’s beloved rose garden, sit under cool Banyan trees or live oaks and relish the soft air. Discover statues, in hidden places, and find serenity by viewing the bay. Enjoy all this and more – thanks to the legacy of John and Mable Ringling. America’s first couple in procuring the sheer fun out of life, and passing it on. Interested in other former Florida Snowbirds: florida-travel.suite101.com/article.cfm/geniuses_getaway
The copyright of the article The Ringlings of Sarasota in Florida Travel is owned by Linda J Bottjer. Permission to republish The Ringlings of Sarasota in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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