Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, once known as Villa Vizcaya, was the estate of businessman James Deering, part of the Deering McCormick-International Harvester fortune. It is located in the Coconut Grove neighborhood of Miami, Florida. Coconut Grove is a cultural center and one of the most popular destinations in the city.
James Deering’s vision for Vizcaya
Vizcaya is a National Historic Landmark, and the gardens and museum inside are a great place for visitors to learn about the country’s past. Built in 1914 and 1922 as the winter residence of farming manufacturer James Deering, Vizcaya is one of the most intact estates from this period in American history. He incorporated modern technology (at that time) into the estate, including telephone switching and a central vacuum system. The gardens are reminiscent of the classic gardens of Europe, and many of their original plants are still growing in their natural habitats. Deering wanted to preserve the natural environment of the area. The estate was originally comprised of 180 acres of land with a dense inland hammock and a mangrove shoreline.
After Deering’s death in 1926, his heirs tried to operate Vizcaya as a tourist attraction but were unable to do so. When the estate was destroyed by a hurricane, the heirs were generous enough to donate the main house to the county. They also purchased the village in order to preserve the gardens and museum. Today, the gardens are home to the Main House, 10 acres of formal gardens which includes a shell-lined grotto, a Rockland Hammock, a mangrove shore, and the Vizcaya Café, where visitors can enjoy breakfast and lunch. The Main House sits on nearly forty-five acres of land and contains 54 rooms. Of those, 34 rooms are decorated and open to the public.
Its architectural style
The Vizcaya Gardens were designed in a classic Mediterranean style, with colonnaded loggias and an interior courtyard. The courtyard brought natural light into the building’s interior rooms and created a serene center to the structure. Hurricanes Andrew and Wilma damaged the villa and its garden, but it was rebuilt after each hurricane. A skylight now covers the interior courtyard.
The gardens are a wonderful place to spend a sunny day. You can also explore the museum and gardens via a guided tour. The Gray Line Miami offers tours of the gardens, which offer a cultural outing full of antiques and ageless works of art. This is a great way to get a glimpse of the architecture and history of this palatial home.
Its collection of Italian furniture
Vizcaya Gardens is home to a collection of antique Italian furniture and decorative art.
Some rooms are inspired by the Napoleonic era, while others are influenced by Palermo, Venice, and Milan. The collection of Italian furniture at the gardens is one of the most extensive and important collections of this type in the United States.
In addition to the furniture, visitors will also find some impressive examples of 20th-century art. Sculptures in the grounds include “the Barge,” by Alexander Stirling Calder. The sculpture, which is located in front of the Main House, is one of the most well-known examples of Platonic Naturalism. The sculpture is built in the shape of a boat and is adorned with carvings of mythical Caribbean creatures.
Its preservation program
The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens has a preservation program aimed at restoring the gardens and the historic farm. The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens also maintains a 1,000-foot-long Archive that houses archival collections, correspondence, blueprints, financial records, and photographs.
How much does it cost to visit Vizcaya?
At the time of this writing, adult tickets range from $25 – $33 per person. However, that price may have changed afterwards. For updated Vizcaya Museum and Gardens hours, tickets and more info visit Vizcaya Museum & Gardens, Miami FL
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