Hidden in the heart of Coral Gables, Florida is a place that captured my heart a few years ago. Kenin took me to the Venetian Pool for my birthday a few years back and it is a place that I return to every time we are in town.
Venetian Pool in Coral Gables, FL
The Venetian Pool was created in 1923 from an old coral rock quarry. The pool was designed by architect Phineas Paist and completed in the spring of 1924. When the Venetian Pool was opened to the public it went by the name “Venetian Casino”.
In its early days, the “Venetian Casino”, was quite a destination for the high society people of the day. Movie stars appeared here to entertain large crowds. The pool was also a site for orchestra concerts. The pool would be emptied and the orchestra would then perform on the pool floor. Many years later in 2001, this scene would be duplicated as a concert was held on the pool floor to commemorate the City of Coral Gables’ 75th birthday.
I may not be a celebrity…yet, but I can swim at the Venetian Pool too
The pool occupies a shallow quarry displacing some 820,000 US gallons of fresh water daily from artesian wells, making it the largest freshwater pool in the United States.
There are beautiful caves that was carved out of the rock quarry that you can swim into. As short as I am (5’2), I can stand in the caves.
Becky and Ugur Soydras hanging with me in the caves.
The pool gets up to 8 feet in depth, so to get to the magical waterfall, you need to be a strong swimmer. There are more shallow areas that you can just hang out in and still get a great view.
Venetian Pool Bridge
The pool has lifeguards on duty and clean changing rooms and showers.
Lifeguard!
There is even a little beach if you want to lay out and get some sun.
I might not need to tan, but I like napping on a beach as much as anyone I know!
There is a kiddie area that is roped off for little swimmers. Children under 3 years of age are not permitted in the pool. The fresh water system is filtered nightly to keep bacteria out and keep the water as clean as possible so kiddies must be potty trained to swim here.
Head on over to the Venetian Pools and make sure to bring your sunscreen and some towels. It is sure to be a day of fun in the Florida sun!
