Named after one of the most captivating shorelines on the Spanish coast, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens captures jaw-dropping European extravagance in an enchanting American context. The home’s builder, James Deering, was a prolific industrialist who explored uncharted territory in the creation of this ambitious home, building his Renaissance-inspired estate at the heart of Miami’s tropical hardwood hammock. Although inspired by the earlier architectural style, the home was very innovative in its incorporation of the modern technology available at the time of its construction (1914), including everything from details on how the structure itself was built to the incorporation of modern touches such as a telephone switching system and a central vacuum system. Though he only wintered at Vizcaya from 1916 to 1925, upon James’s departure, the estate was left to several nieces and nephews.
Deering’s adventurous spirit lives on to this day. The estate’s very emblem – “The Caravel” – commemorates a ship used during the “Age of Exploration.” As you begin your own exploration of this historic Miami icon, you’ll notice an image of the mythical voyager “Bel Vizcaya” at the entrance, marking the beginning of a most memorable journey ahead.
Inside the Main House
In 1914, Deering enlisted 1,000 workers to bring his dream home to life. He and his design partner Paul Chalfin scoured Europe for the finest furnishings, antiques and paintings. The duo imported gilded panels, carved mantels and fresco ceilings from Tuscany and France to line the villa walls. It took years to perfect the mansion’s 70-plus rooms, 34 of which overflow with treasures dating back to the 15th century.
As you enter the Tea Room, you’ll notice sleek marble floors, reflecting a rainbow of light, beaming through stained glass doors.
Step into the Breakfast Room and marvel at the motif, designed to represent the exchange of ideas during the “Age of Exploration” by combining Chinese ceramics with Neapolitan seascapes.
Finally, as you make your way into the Cathay Room, you’ll get a taste of the lavish accommodations enjoyed by movie star moguls such as Lillian Gish during her visit in 1917. But any trip to Vizcaya would be incomplete without a tour of its Eden-like grounds.
The Gardens
The greatest of photographs cannot convey the serenity of Vizcaya’s 10 acres of gardens. In many ways, the Formal Gardens resemble the layout of France’s Versailles. Low, trimmed shrubs organize walkways into mesmerizing, geometric patterns. Thick columns, lush mazes and classical statues also lend to its European aesthetic, but Vizcaya uniquely embraces its tropical surroundings as well. Here, palms, rare orchids and Cuban limestone infuse the palatial Mediterranean vibe with a signature Miami flair.
The sprawling Formal Gardens were designed by landscape architect Diego Suarez to feel like a great outdoor room, connecting to the main house along a north-south axis. Several architectural elements come together in one fluid, integrated space. A massive topiary-lined corridor gives way to The Mound, where The Casino pavilion provides an aerial view of the gardens. East of The Mound lies the Fountain Garden, a fountain imported from Sutri, Italy. Another must-see on your garden tour is The David A. Klein Orchidarium, which features a wide variety of orchids, including both Vandas and Cymbidiums.
