The Backstory: Venetian Pool
Possibly the world's most unique pool
Hello! I know I’ve said that it’s always summer here in Florida, but everything before this point in the year was really just a pre-heating oven for what’s happening now. Leaving my efficiently air-conditioned home and going outside is like walking into a vat of warm maple syrup. It’s equal parts familiar warm hug and a bit stifling. I remember meeting a woman from Croatia at the Miami International Airport who said she felt like she was drowning as soon as she walked outside.
At the time, I assumed she was talking about the thickness in the air during summer, but maybe it was more than that. There is something about South Florida that is so immersive, you do kind of drown in it. The loudness, the heat, the crowds, the traffic.
So how does one escape? Water. It’s everywhere and a welcome respite. I was in the midst of planning a day trip to the iconic Venetian Pool in Coral Gables only to learn it’s closed for most of this season for renovations. However, it’ll be back and better than ever.
After more than a hundred years wowing people and a secure spot on the National Register of Historic Places, Venetian Pool isn’t going anywhere. Like many stone buildings erected in Coral Gables 100 years ago, Venetian Pool was built by expert stonemasons from the Bahamas. So, it’s pretty solid. There’s some wonderful notes on more of its history in this recent Miami Herald article.
Why is it unique? This huge (60,000-square-foot) pool made of coral rock has a grotto, a quaint bridge and towers that really pull off a Venice vibe. First opened in 1924, the pool matches the Mediterranean revival look that dominates Coral Gables. It isn’t just pretty. The bedrock beneath actually serves a purpose. The natural fresh water in the pool is drained and refilled every day during the summer season. According to the article, that’s 820,000 gallons of water that gets circulated in and out of the Biscayne Aquifer. The limestone deep beneath the pool is a natural filter for the water. Two injection wells make this process possible, ensuring the water is clean.
I love that Venetian Pool feels like it’s from another world and time. The South Florida land boom of the early 1920s was full of glamour and Venetian Pool attracted attention not just because of its beauty but because of the entertainment. In addition to dances and aquatic shows, they would even drain the pool and have an orchestra perform a concert on the pool floor. I can just imagine the acoustics. They used the space to its fullest potential and drew large crowds.
Beauty contests were also popular, and something about the below photo (taken at Venetian Pool in 1924) has my mind buzzing to create a story.
What secrets are these lovely ladies hiding? In real life? Probably nothing. But in a story, those expressions could be saying so much. Did they know they’d win? Did they win more than a mere beauty contest? Do these aquifer-fed waters have secrets of their own? Let’s see what happens in the next flash fiction.
If you’re ever in South Florida and want to plan a visit, check for updates on the Venetian Pool here.
Oh I am SO excited for this story lol the middle gal is giving Wednesday Addams vibes to me 😂
Also! I am interested in the fact that this pool is drained and refilled daily?? Is there more info about how they are doing that? Where is the water coming from? Where is it going? (Cotton-eyed Joe). Is this a natural process, automatically done by machines, manual?