The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens located in Miami, Florida has a stunning European-styled appearance, and history behind it. Built between 1914 and 1922, Vizcaya introduces visitors to a glimpse of the past through the memories within the walls and gardens. The museum contains an Italian-Renaissance villa surrounded by nature of the same aesthetic.
The gardens not only have bushes for display, but statues, fountains, and staircases that direct visitors to more eye-catching nature and architecture. Behind the house, there is an ocean view with an impressive barge made of stone inside the water, something many tourists are fond of.
Observing the Main House
The most intriguing aspect of the museum is the house, Casa Vizcaya. It was heavily inspired by modern and subtropical Italian villas from the eighteenth-century, with the details resembling Mediterranean and Italian renaissance aspects in order to symbolize prestige and timelessness.
Originally the Casa Vizcaya was created as a winter home, with incredible detail and research going into the architecture of the main house. Its intricate design further includes a hidden pool that has antique furniture and ceilings.
Exploring the Gardens
While the house is the main attraction, it is rivaled in beauty by the gardens outside. The lushful exterior that surrounds the property is the most elaborate garden in America. The gardens maintain a geometrical characteristic that surrounds each side in order to preserve the native forest.
Going inside the garden, guests will find the Secret Garden, the Playful Maze Garden, the Theater Garden, and Fountain Garden. In addition, there are structures awaiting a visit inside the hedges. There are architectural details to be found such as intricate sculptures, and breathtaking fountains. The intention behind every marking, pathway, and idea is what makes the gardens such a fulfilling place to visit.
The Ocean View
The impressive stone structure in the water behind Casa Vizcaya is a barge. It was built in 1916 with several purposes such as displaying art, a space for entertainment, and as protection from all of the harsh weather conditions.
Regrettably, the Barge is not open to visitors, but there are 3D models of the sculpture online as well as a tour showcasing the entire stone barge.
Vizcaya’s Current State
In 2017, Hurricane Irma struck the lands of Florida and many buildings residing in Miami. It brought in a huge flood which entered into the prized estate, the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. The outcome ended up involving millions of dollars in damage and many hours were put in to fix the issues.
The origins of Vizcaya
Casa Vizcaya was built by James Deering. Deering was an American industrialist who was the vice president of the International Harvester Company. By the time he decided to build Vizcaya, he was weak with pernicious anemia.
Deering passed away in 1925, so Vizcaya was passed down to his brother, Charles Deering. As time passed it was eventually passed down to James Deering’s nieces. Tragically enough, a hurricane hit in 1935 which caused great damages.
The tragedy was uplifted when Vazcaya had been restored by the help of an artistic director, Paul Chaflin. Unfortunately, the villa became abandoned and forgotten, but in 1952 the estate was sold to become a museum.
Vizcaya has undergone many obstacles and problems, but today it stands as one of the most intricately-designed museums in the U.S.A. Deering brought a light to Miami, and his legacy lives on.
