I’ve seen many remnants of America’s Gilded Age, of a time when Northern robber barons made their summer homes down south. You might have heard their names before, particularly the Vanderbilts of Asheville’s Biltmore Estate. And then there’s Villa Vizcaya.
Agricultural tycoon John Deering made his way to Florida, specifically a suburb of Miami, to build his Italian influenced mansion in 1916. He only spent the winters here, as the summer months are entirely too humid. Nearly 10% of Miami’s population at that time had a hand in building the home.
The interior, which doesn’t allow photos, is decorated in an ornate, over-the-top style with artwork and antiques covering nearly all of the 34 rooms. A hurricane after Deering’s death in 1926 left the home in a state of disrepair that his small staff could not adequately maintain.
Deering’s heirs had the house restored in 1933 before being hit with another hurricane two years later. In the 1950s they sold the property and original furnishings to Dade County to function as a museum. It now is a popular site for weddings and local field trips.
While the villa itself is stunning, the 180 acres of sprawling gardens are reminiscent of Braga’s Bom Jesus. It’s easy to spend the majority of your visit outside, as long as the weather cooperates. Thankfully it was agreeable the morning of my visit and I saw at least two wedding photoshoots and a handful more quinceañera shoots.
Getting There
Villa Vizcaya Museums and Gardens are located at 3251 South Miami Avenue and open daily except Tuesdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm. Admission is $15 for adults. The museum is accessible by highway and by the Vizcaya Metrorail station.
I love the history of this place. I have been to a few Bacardi Halloween parties there and once as a child during their Renaissance fair. A Roman friend restored it with his special lime based paint, I looove that paint!