VENETIAN POOL
Hidden behind pastel stucco walls is one of Miami's most beautiful and unusual swimming pools. Dating from 1924 and honoured by a listing on the National Register of Historic Places the Venetial Pool is not to be missed. Designed to resemble a lagoon, and shaded by three story Spanish porticos, the pool features fountains, waterfalls, coral rock caves and a palm-fringed island. It can be a bit cool in the winter but during the summer the pool's 800,000 gallons of water are a delightful retreat from Miami's humid weather. Fed by underground artesian wells, Venetian Pool was once a quarry pit, its only value being the limestone it produced for the construction of that time. Through the creative efforts architect Phineas Paist, this eyesore was transformed in 1924 to what was then called Venetian Casino. During its heyday gondolas plied its waters. Esther Williams and Johnny Weismuller of Tarzan fame swam its length. The orchestras of Paul Whitman and Jan Garber serenaded poolside dancers as they swayed beneath the stars on outdoor terrazzo dance floors. Bathing beauties by the hundreds promenaded across specially constructed walkways, while visiting dignitaries passed through the circular aquarium room entry to tour the "world's most beautiful swimming hole." Today, while we can't promise you'll run into any movie stars, we're sure you'll have a good time.
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