We are still on our first day visiting the Ringling Museums. We will now explore the gardens and the impressive Ca’ d’Zan; the mansion that John and Mable Ringling called home after settling in Sarasota.
We strolled through the gardens towards the bay where the palatial mansion overlooks the water.
The gardens were beautiful. Unfortunately, we don’t have very many photos to share, but below are a few photos to give you some idea.
It was a very hot day and we really enjoyed walking on the shaded trails among the large banyan trees.
They really look like they are walking.
“The tree that walks” moves as it makes new roots in the direction that it wants to move to. It is also known as a strangling fig. Choose your own adventure…
John Ringling left the property, gardens, and museums to the State of Florida and it all went downhill from there. The property crumbled. Mable’s rose garden is another feature that fell victim to the state of Florida’s neglect.
The rose garden was restored by volunteers and although none on the original roses that were planted in the 1913 survived, many of the same varieties were planted during the restorations. Today, there are about 450 plants in the rose garden.
We spotted this odd creature in the pond that leads to the art gallery.
Intense googling of “pointy nosed turtle” revealed its identity.
A closer look of the Florida softshell turtle and its snorkel-like snout.
We finally made it to John and Mabel’s modest house. At 36,000 sq feet and several stories high including a tower, it’s an impressive structure.
The main floor of the building is open to the public, but we didn’t visit the interior of the house this time.
A view of the back of the house.
There was plenty to see on the outside, below are a few details of the Venetian architecture that John and Mabel loved so much. The house became so derelict that it had to close down. Eventually, it was restored at great cost and opened to the public in 2002.
Ca’ d’Zan means the house of John in the Venetian dialect. Wasn’t it Mabel’s house too?
The large balcony overlooks the bay. The roaring twenties in this house must have been wild!
but if you stand with your back to the house at the edge of the balcony, the water seems to be part of the architecture.
Next, we’ll take you to the Ringling circus museum.
Very enjoyable to read your blogs ☺️
Thank you! Love that you do 😊
I wonder how many times some rich person bequeaths something magnificent to the town or city or state only for it to be let fall into ruin. There are enough examples in Australia for it to be quite common. When my wife and I sold our house – she had 300 roses amongst many other shrubs trees and flowers in her garden. Apart from the flowers she was absolutely furious when the new owners cut down the oak on the front fence.
It’s disheartening to find out about things like that. I can understand her fury. So much love and work go into creating a beautiful garden!
That is quite the beautiful day and outing you had. The house is lovely and the gardens are so well maintained. Banyan trees seem other worldly in a good way. And that soft shell turtle is too cute!
It was a great outing for all these reasons!
The natural architecture is as impressive as the man-made! Love your photos.
Thank you! It was very impressive!
Just a simple little bungalow. Amazing what gifts to the state can involve in maintenance and repair cost. Thanks for sharing. Allan
Yup. Very simple 😊
That house is a work of art. Just stunning. Also love the choose-your-own-adventure trees. Looking forward to the circus museum.
Everything about this place was very beautiful. I’m glad we didn’t skip it.
So am I.
The architecture is fascinating, but what really got my attention was that long-necked turtle. What an unusual-looking critter.
I know! I found that turtle facianating. I’ve never seen this funny creature before.
The architecture is amazing! It’s good that the property was restored. It would be sad to lose the history. Banyan trees are eerie. They look like they are going to follow you! Thank you 😊
It would have been such a shame if it was lost. Those trees feel like they are from another world!
What a beautiful house, but that picture of the turtle is awesome! Maggie
Thanks, Maggie. It was a fascinating place!
Excellent garden the trees are looking hugging each other ! The building is beautiful ! Nice shot 🙂
Thank you! They do look like they are hugging 😊
🤗
Wow what an amazing house. It’s a pity that it fell into such disrepair at the hands of the state. And so sorry to hear about that rose garden. Glad it’s all receiving the attention it deserves, but can only imagine the cost to keep the 35,000 sq feet in good standing. Interesting post. I really enjoy historic homes. Thanks for taking us along.
I love historic home too, and this one was really beautiful! Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you for sharing these lovely photos!
Thanks for coming along!
Those banyan trees really do look like they’re moving! Never seen trees like them before…John and Mabel’s house looks like the dream to live in, even just from the outside: I can’t wait to see what else you got up to during your time there!
Those trees are really unique looking and they are very big too. John and Mabe really built an empire with their little circus act 😊
Wow it’s beautiful, I love banyan trees 🙂
They are very cool trees!
Wonderful! I am so glad they saved that architectural gem. Those trees are amazing. Not sure if they are the same species we have here but still marvellous.
I think that the Florida native banyan is different, but there are many types and some were brought from other areas, so I am not sure which ones these were. Really cool trees!
Indeed
Beautiful place worth saving. So glad the state finally decided to do so. Interesting indeed. Muriel
It was beautiful!
Hey, don’t know why I became anonymous. Muriel
Haha, I guess you weren’t signed in to your account!
Love your pictures of the banyan trees. They look a bit spooky. That’s such a shame to hear that the state didn’t take care of the property. Thank goodness a group of volunteers stepped in. And that is one impressive house!
It was a beautiful and interesting place to visit. The circus museum is coming up soon 😊
I have read about “walking trees” before and I shared pictures of them with my son. These are absolutely incredible! It’s a shame Florida didn’t keep up with everything but this property is breathtaking. Thanks for sharing!!
We loved these trees! The state came through in the end and brought the place back to its old beauty!
That’s so wonderful
Modest house! 😂
Yeah, you will need a couple of hours to clean it 😊