Exploring The Ringling Mansion: Ca’ d’ Zan

The Ringling Mansion: Ca ‘d’Zan

Welcome to the dazzling world of The Ringling Museum, a cultural haven nestled in Sarasota, Florida. This unique institution is a combination of an art museum, historic mansion, circus museum, and stunning gardens, making it a must-visit destination for art enthusiasts, history buffs, and anyone seeking a day of beauty and inspiration.

Step back in time by exploring the Ca’ d’Zan mansion, the former residence of John and Mable Ringling. This architectural gem is a testament to the couple’s love for Mediterranean Revival style. With its intricate details, stunning waterfront location, and opulent furnishings, Ca’ d’Zan provides a glimpse into the luxurious lifestyle of the Roaring Twenties.

The Ringling Museum consists of 4 parts: The Art Museum, The Circus Museum, Ca’ d’Zan ( the mansion ) and Bayfront Gardens.

The Entrance

Museum Admission: There are 3 ways to visit the Ringling Museum and make sure you choose the one you prefer. I chose the 2nd one for $35.00/adult which I would highly recommend. It includes the 1st floor of the mansion and it is very worth it as I believe the mansion is the highlight. I saw some who felt bad because they only bought the main admission and were trying to go to the water side of the mansion but were not allowed, you have to have a wristband and I think they could tell, ours was orange and they let us in. I also would highly recommend to get your ticket online as the line is very long on the weekends and per staff sometimes it’s all the way back up to the street.

Additional: If you want to do a guided tour of the 2nd floor, it is 40 minutes for $ 60.00

We entered the museum smoothly, no need to fall in line as we got our tickets online, the staff just scanned our ticket, gave us a wristband and let us in.

Ca’ d’ Zan Mansion

As you walk towards Ca’ d’Zan, this is what you see from afar. A breathtaking view of the mansion, surrounded by lush of green trees, a breeze of fresh air, colorful sky and the Bay.

John and Mable Ringling’s 36,000 square feet mansion was commissioned by renowned American architect Dwight James Baum (1886 – 1939) to design Ca’ d’Zan as their new winter residence in 1924 and completed in late 1926. This Mediterranean Revival style mansion has 56 rooms that includes 5 guest suites, a service wing, ballroom, play room, tap room and great hall according to the Ringling website.

The Facade of the Mansion

I read this inspired the couple to build this mansion in a VenetianGothic style after their trip to Italy in the 1920’s.

Look at the texture and tone of this mansion. I don’t have the exact details, I only know the green marble quatrefoils above the arched windows.

Belvedere Tower

The details of this tower consists of terra cotta bats, cats, squirrels that surrounds the turrets.

Ca’ d’Zan Mansion is composed of terra cotta friezes and corbels around it.

The main door on the front facade. Looks like someone is standing inside the iron grill door, right side 🙂

This is where we waited at The Grand Entrance to get to the mansion, there is a staff standing there to let you in, we waited for 5-10 minutes. You enter through the side door.

Me just casually sitting, feeling and vibing.

Inside the mansion

As you go inside through the side door, there is another staff that will give a little brief history of John & Mable Ringling’s winter mansion while you are waiting. And oh!! The stained glass windows and doors are stunning!!

How can you beat this view? Overlooking the Sarasota Bay!!

The Grand Entrance Foyer

Upon entering the mansion, you will be directed to the Grand Entrance Foyer leading to the Dining Room.

The main door at the grand entrance foyer. I can just imagine John and Mable going through this door, looking at this door is like you were transported to the roaring twenties, 1920’s. Wow!!

The Dining Room

So let’s take a peek at John & Mable’s dining room made of luxurious furnish.

Wow!! Look at this intricate ceiling details!!

I must admit, I’m a sucker for detailed architectures like this. This might have been one of the most beautifully furnished ceiling I have ever seen. Talking about luxurious design.

Ballroom Area

The highlight of this room is the golden vignette ballroom ceiling. Oh what a beauty!!

Stained Glass Doors or Windows

This is absolutely one of the most beautiful area of the mansion where you can see the Sarasota Bay through the stained glass, is this door or a window? Looks like a door to me, they have handles but correct me if I’m wrong.

There is a wedding about to start on this visit so you can see the event decorators preparing at the Waterfront Terrace.

The stained glass on the right wing is one of my favorite shot with its beautiful reflection on the floor mixed with beautiful terrace background on the outside plus the Bay. Perfection!!

Great Hall

The main function room has a magnificent ceiling. This is the center of the mansion where you can see the waterfront view outside through the stained glass doors. Here, you can see the classic 1920’s tables and chairs. The second floor are mostly consists of bedrooms including John and Mable’s main bedroom. The mansion has 56 rooms.

What a stunner!! One of my weaknesses is glass art so I love glass photography and these breathtaking stained glass ceiling is soothing to my eye. If I’m not mistaken the details on the ceiling are hand-carved too.

Breathtaking!!

And I have to insert ” Me ” lol..I also love to pose on the places I visit and I can’t miss this one.

Kitchen Area

After the breathtaking view of the Great Hall, I took a pose and headed to the kitchen area. I need to have energy for the waterside part on the back facade of the mansion.

The kitchen floors consist of a black and white tiles. Beautiful kitchen cabinets, the 1927 Westinghouse automatic stove and sets of plates displayed.

The Ringling Mansion Waterfront

Woohoo!! What else can I ask for? The view here is breathtaking!! The weather on this visit is perfect with cooler breeze of fresh air. A perfect weekend getaway for me!!

Finally, I am here!! Vibing in this great cool weather!!

The only thing is, there is a wedding about to start on this waterfront terrace so my capacity to take a shot of the mansion is limited. Oh whelps maybe next time. This mansion is open as a venue for special events.

This is the back facade of the mansion overlooking the Sarasota Bay. Left wing.

Right wing of the mansion. Look at the view!!

Waterfront Terrace

Walking around the terrace is a delight!! It’s not like everyday you get to see this breathtaking view. I drove almost 1.5 hours back road just to be here. I love living in Florida and I wish I had started museums and botanicals years ago but I think as you get older it changes. Now, in my mid 40’s all of the sudden I have a fascination in glass art, botanicals and museums.

This is a perfect spot for a epic shot except for this one, where I wasn’t ready but when your bff is not into a photography. Still A for the effort, haha. Thanks bff JayB.

The Dock. Imagine those rich people in the 1920’s docking their ship here to visit John and Mable. Mrs. Mable Ringling were mostly involved in the designs, details, art and the architecture of this mansion.

And just a reminder, if you did not avail a $ 35.00 ticket, you will not be able to get on this part of the mansion either. So please buy a $ 35.00 ticket instead of the basic admission fee of $25.00 if you want to see the mansion and the waterfront part or just to walk around the terrace. And if you want a tour of the 2nd floor it is a guided-tour for $ 60.00 for 40 minutes.

I believe the highlight of this property is the Ca’ d’Zan Mansion. Like I mentioned earlier, some people thought they could get in to the Waterfront Terrace at the back but no, not when you only paid $ 25.00.

Practical Information:

Address: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243

Hours Of Operation: Sunday – Monday 10am – 5pm

Suggested Stay: 1-2 hours in the mansion and 4-5 hours in the property

Parking: Free parking across the museum both sides North and South

Tickets: Buy tickets online to save time and show it to the staff across the ticketing area

Picnics: Your are allowed to have a picnic, they have picnic areas

Playground: Yes, there is a playground called David Bolger Playspace

Dining: The Ringling Grillroom at the Entrance Pavilion. Mable’s Coffee and Tea on the 2nd floor which serves Starbucks coffee, sandwiches, salads and parfait

Conclusion:

To summarize my visit, here’s my honest review for this mansion. For me, I am glad I gave this mansion a chance though I’ve heard of this years ago. Exploring the Ringling Mansion, Ca’ d’Zan, was an enchanting journey that left me captivated by its rich history and opulent charm. The glass stained doors/windows caught my attention. The breathtaking luxurious ceilings, the intricate design and architecture will leave you speechless. Every moment here is a visual feast!!

I highly recommend visiting The Ringling Museum Mansion Ca’ d’Zan when you are in the area. It is worth of your money and time. This is a cultural haven, where the allure of the Roaring Twenties comes to life . Don’t miss the chance to immerse yourself in this cultural gem. As a Floridian, I love to showcase beautiful places of my Sunshine State.

The Ringling Mansion Ca’ d’Zan is undoubtedly worth a visit!

And as always, thank you so much for taking the time to read this blog. Hope this inspires you to take time for yourself to travel, have fun and enjoy the moment. Let’s travel the world together!! Stay tune for more museum blogs coming up.

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