Ca’ d’Zan – The Ringling Museum And Mansion Top 10 Reasons To Visit
Who knew that the Ca’ d’Zan, the former Mansion of John Ringling, is located in Florida? I didn’t, and it was a rare find for me. Like most of us, I knew about the Ringling traveling circus. However, I was surprised when I learned about a Ringling Museum and a mansion called the Ca’ d’Zan.
Florida isn’t the place that comes to mind when you think of substantial Italian Venetian Gothic-style mansions from decades ago. Yet, the Ca’ d’Zan is precisely that, and it’s still here for us to enjoy. The Ca’ d’Zan is a breathtaking estate nestled in the bay of Sarasota. The Ringling Museum is a bonus, as is the art gallery.
I’m passionate about many things, like whales, waterfalls, and springs. I also love exploring mansions, castles, and stately homes. The second I saw a photograph of the Ca’ d’Zan, it was on my radar to visit. This article will cover everything you need to know about visiting Ca’ d’Zan and The Ringling Museum!
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The History of The Ringling Brothers and Ringling Circus
If you’ve ever heard of “The Greatest Show on Earth,” you are already familiar with the Ringling Brother’s work. The Greatest Show on Earth was the best traveling circus in all U.S.
Barnum & Bailey
Two veteran circus men, Dan Castello and William Cameron Coup, founded Dan Castello’s Great Circus & Egyptian Caravan in Delavan, Wisconsin, in 1867, which later became Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.
The Ringling Brothers
Five brothers of German-French descent (Albert, Otto, Alfred, Charles, and John) were establishing their own circus in Baraboo. It began in 1882 as a song-and-dance troupe, grew to a one-ring circus by 1884, and in 1888, added an elephant.
In 1907, the Ringling Brothers purchased the Barnum & Bailey Circus for $400,000. However, the two circuses continued to operate separately.
Merger
The Ringlings combined their two circuses in 1919 due to labor shortages and railroad problems brought about by American involvement in World War I. The circus flourished and expanded. John died in 1936, and his sister Ida raised enough money to buy the business from competing family members.
But, as with every story, there’s a strategy. While they made it through World War I, trouble lay ahead. The circus in Connecticut experienced a fire on July 6, 1944, that killed at least 167 people. Then, in the 1950s, they faced competition from other forms of entertainment like the radio and television.
Fast forward to the last quarter of the 20th century. The show was plagued with pressure from animal welfare groups who documented the abusive animal training techniques, fines from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and an overall decline in attendance. After 146 years, the show came to an end in 2017. On May 21, 2017, the last performance was in Uniondale, New York.
The History Of Ringling Mansion – Ca’ d’Zan
The Ringlings first visited Sarasota in 1909. Eventually, John moved the circuses’ winter quarters from Bridgeport, Connecticut, to Sarasota. During the 1920s, the Ringling family would frequently visit Venice, Italy. Venice is what inspired the building. Admirers of the unique architectural style of the Danieli and the Bauer-Grunwald hotels and palazzos on the canals in Venice, Italy.
John desired to create his Mansion in this style, and he wanted a place to keep his yacht – Zalophus, docked outside of the house.
The Location Of Ca’ d’Zan
Ca’ d’Zan is located adjacent to Sarasota Bay, Florida.
Address: 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243, United States.
What’s great about the Mansion is that it’s easily accessible from the Sarasota airport, so even if you were there for a day, you could still visit it and have time to go through everything there!
What does Ca’ d’Zan Mean?
“Ca’ d’Zan” is a Venetian dialect that translates to “House of John.” As such, the Mansion is named after John.
Why Visit The Ca’ d’Zan?
If you appreciate architecture, you’ll love The Ca’ d’Zan. The Mansion sits right on the water overlooking sand bars, and it’s designed to feel like a canal in Venice. Were it not for its modern-day neighbors; it would pass as Venitian.
Glorious trees lead up to the Mansion, and there are stunning gardens. Much as I like gardens, I was more interested in what’s inside. I deliberately did not look at any photos of the inside. My thinking here is, what in the world would a mansion built by a circus owner look like? What would the color scheme be, and what would the overall design be? I was not disappointed. It’s one of the most impressive mansions I’ve visited in a while.
About the Ringling Mansion –The Ca’ d’Zan.
The Ringling Mansion is a work of art. In the 1920s, when the Mansion was complete, it cost a whopping $1,650,000! And when you look at all the work that went into making the Mansion, it makes total sense why it cost so much to build!
Inside The Ringling Mansion
There are 52 rooms in the 36,000-square-foot Ringling Mansion. John’s wife, Mable Ringling, did all the space’s design. This includes all interiors, exteriors, and even all the furnishings. Everything was her idea, and she ensured no stone was left unturned throughout the building process!
The Stained Glass
One of the most popular things about the Mansion is the stained glass windows tied to European aesthetics. The windows are still in perfect condition, each different from the others. The stained glass windows are mesmerizing. The colors shine differently in each room and create natural hues of pastel light. I also love that each piece of glass is one color rather than a collage of pieces. It’s tremendously unique.
Look closely at the stained glass. See how each piece of glass is a different color and notice how the light reflects through them. I’ve never seen anything like this in a tropical climate, and I like it. When you look through the stained glass, the trees take on a new appearance with the color of the glass. I am fascinated with this choice of glass. Without seeing it, you might assume it’s tacky, but it’s exquisite and deliberate.
The Main Hall
Where to start on this? I have read others describe the Mansion and decor as Moorish. Moorish architecture is a style within Islamic architecture that developed in the western Islamic world. I can see where this description comes from. However, I think it’s Gothic and has all the classic Gothic design elements minus gargoyles.
It will come as no surprise to you that I loved the main hall! Hello, pink, and hello, a white chandelier! And the black and white tiled floor is right up my alley. Ironically, there are tons of pieces here that we see in modern homes. I will also add that it’s not overdone. Notice that there are not 500-plus pictures hanging on every inch of the wall!
During the tour, you’ll see all the other rooms downstairs that are as impressive, but I will let you see these for yourself when you visit. I found all of the rooms tasteful. Nothing remotely as bizarre as some of the places I’ve visited in Europe. Mable Ringling had a timeless taste.
Today, the Mansion stands just as it did decades ago, with most of the furniture and artifacts from that era still there, in all their glory!
Outside The Ringling Mansion
The Ringling Mansion sits on a 66-acre property. Thirty-six thousand square feet of it is the Ca’ d’Zan, and the rest of the grounds house the museum and art gallery. You can talk a walk through the Bayfront Gardens for hours in awe of its beauty. If you want to pay your respects to the Ringling Family, you can visit their private cemetery in a secret garden.
The winner on the outside is the spectacular veranda overlooking the waterfront of Sarasota Bay and its decadent dock. I can’t even imagine how thrilling it would be to live here. Look to the right and notice the sand bar. Well, within swimming distance, you have a tropical oasis waiting for you.
The Ringling Museum of Art
John Ringling built an art museum in 1925 to memorialize his wife Mable and himself and a legacy that would outlast his business interests. Ringling sought to educate and encourage curiosity about the wider world by sharing the arts of Europe with the people of Florida.
The museum, designed by John H. Phillips, features 21 galleries enclosed by a courtyard filled with replicas of iconic sculptures. When the Museum opened in 1930, Ringling displayed European paintings, paneled rooms from the Gilded Age Astor mansion in New York, and ancient and medieval objects from prestigious collections. In 1936, Ringling left the Museum to the people of Florida upon his death.
I did not tour the Ringling Museum of Art. It is included in the admission, but I am not into art galleries, so I skipped this!
The Ringling Circus Museum
I did tour the Ringling Circus Museum. Mainly because the lady who checked me in told me not to miss the Tibbals. I had no clue what “Tibbals” is, so off I went to find out.
Tibbals
Tibbals is miniature creation by Howard Tibbals, hence the name. Howard created a miniature circus that was so spectacular that he permanently made a place to display it. It gives you insight into the sheer size of the traveling circus, which is baffling. Fascinating to a degree, but not really what I came to see. If you are into art in general, you’ll appreciate this a lot more than I do. I enjoyed the glance, but it’s what I would consider an embellished oversized model train set. I am not knocking the detail, the art, or the accomplishment. It’s simply not my cup of tea.
The Ringling Circus Museum hosts memorabilia and replicas from different eras. There’s even the actual train carriage that the Ringlings traveled in!
In fairness to the Estate, the museum does have plenty to offer and some fascinating artifacts. I am just not into museums.
Weddings and Events At Ca’ d’Zan
Ca’ d’Zan is one of the best locations to hold weddings and events. The entire place is a work of art, making it the perfect backdrop for any wedding! What’s great is that there are different locations throughout The Ringling Museum And Mansion where you can host a wedding, so there’s an area of the property for everyone!
Other Events at the Ringling Mansion
Weddings aren’t the only type of event held at the Ringling Mansion. There are concerts, musical events, yoga retreats, and promotional events at the Mansion throughout the year.
FAQs About The Ca’ d’Zan And The Ringling Museum
Closing Thoughts
The Ringling Mansion, The Ca’ d’Zan, is an oasis. A building that no one would expect to sit in the Sarasota Bay of Florida, appearing as if it was transported from Italy! The site, the gardens, the museums, and the art galleries are impressive. The Ca’ d’Zan will leave you speechless.
Looking For Other Mansions & Estates in Florida? Start Here:
- Cape Romano Dome House – Marco Island Florida
- Pinewood Estate – El Retiro – At Bok Tower Gardens
- The Howey Mansion – Howey-in-the-Hills
- The Wonder House – Bartow Florida
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Typo: should be why not who
One of the worst reviews I’ve ever read regarding the Ringling. If you’re not into it who write about it.
I was “into it,” hence why I went – specifically the mansion, which is what was said. Why does everyone have to be so emotionally attached to other people’s opinions? Seriously, you don’t have to agree or even like it. Move on :)
Many errors in this page. Joe Collasa, a former engineer on the Ringling train, and Don Horrowitz do not own Ca’D’Zan. It is owned by the University of FL. John and Mable did not have 8 children, nor any children. John had a son born out of wedlock in Denmark. There’s more that is off about tis article. I am a great grandson of one of the Ringling Brothers.
Hi Michael,
Thank you for taking the time to let me know. I am a one-woman show, and some of the content I outsource is drafted elsewhere or is a guest post from other writers.
I will fact-check it all and update it. No excuses for the errors – just explaining why/how they occurred.
Thanks again – Nikki
Hi Micheal,
I just fact-checked and updated it all. Thanks again for reaching out and letting me know. Much appreciated.