Ringling Museum and the Ca' d' Zan Mansion

Maranda and I have been playing tourist in our own town this week. I have one more week before I have to go back to work. Maranda's school starts after Labor Day on Sep 8 (lucky dog).
We started because the online makeup company that I love and met many of my online friends on is having a contest. Where in the world is my Aromaleigh? Read about it here .

So Maranda has been my helper, and we've taken Aromaleigh to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge where Wade usually goes jet skiing on Sundays. Tuesday we went to the John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art. Which is also where the Ca' d' Zan Mansion is also located. We have toured the mansion and the museum when family has been in town for a visit. So we just walked the grounds which were just as fascinating. It was a lot of fun and I think we will do it again. You can walk the grounds and visit the rose garden for no admission. The museum is free on Monday's. Students and Florida teachers get a special rate anytime. So come along and join us now.

In 1924, construction began on Cà d’Zan, which means “House of John” in Venetian dialect. The house was completed just before Christmas 1925, at a cost of $1.5 million.
John and Mable Ringling greatly admired the unique architectural style of the Danieli and the Bauer-Grunwald hotels in Venice, as well as the palaces that face the Venetian canals. This architectural style, called "Venetian Gothic," greatly influenced the Cà d'Zan's design, which architect Dwight James Baum and builder Owen Burns helped bring to Sarasota for the Ringlings. (from the website) The view of the bay from the entertaining area of the Cà d’Zan.


This was taken on the terrace of Cà d’Zan, one of the photos for the challenge. This one she didn't use. She did use two others that I took here, you should check it out.


One of the windows from the terrace.
Throughout the Ca' d' Zan, the window panes are of Venetian glass,
tinted in shades of rose, amethyst, purple, green and straw. Tradition has
it that the seven arched bronze frames of the Gothic pointed windows opening
into the terrace were brought from Europe Mrs. Ringling. In any
case, they are richly ornamented with designs of various forms of marine
life, executed in low relief. (from website)

Some of the sconces on the terrace.

The same Banyan tree which was swallowing the statue (Wordless Wednesday) photo.

Maranda and me.

Bamboo on the grounds, I didn't get a photo of the Rose garden because it just didn't do it justice.

Mosaic in the walkway in front of the Mansion. I have more photos, but you can take a virtual tour on the website. Hope you enjoyed it.