The Coral Gables Venetian Pool is a beautiful freshwater swimming pool fed by the Biscayne aquifer.
It is the largest freshwater swimming pool in the U.S., and the only swimming pool to be included on the National Register of Historic Places.
The spot where the Venetian Pool now sits was once a coral rock quarry, abandoned in 1921 after the limestone was removed to be used in the building of the city of Coral Gables. A few years later, the pool was designed by architect Phineas Paist and Denman Fink and completed in 1924.
Originally called the Venice Casino, it got its name and design style from Venetian Lagoon in Venice, Italy. The design fit in nicely with the Mediterranean feel and style that George Merrick had when creating the City of Coral Gables.
The pool ranges from 4 to 8 feet deep feet, and includes 2-foot kiddy pool. In the middle is a small island with 2 palm trees on it, with a Venetian-style bridge leading out to this island. The pool also includes a cave-like grotto, waterfall, Spanish fountain, loggias, porticos, and three-story observation towers. Many features have come and gone over the years, including real gondolas, and a high-diving platform.
The pool uses about 820,000 gallons of fresh water each day, which comes from artesian wells. To make this water use more sustainable, a system was devised in 1998 to drain and recycle the water using natural ground filtration. The pool underwent major renovations in 1989 and 2009.
Today, over 100,000 visitors come to swim in the Venetian Pool each year. Many special events take place there also.
The pool is open year-round, from Tuesday through Sunday. It is open on Mondays only during the summer months. Children must be a minimum of 38 inches tall and 3 years old.
The pool can be rented for birthday parties, or other special events.
Coral Gables Venetian Pool
- Address: 2701 De Soto Boulevard, Coral Gables
- Phone: 305-460-5306
- Web Site: http://www.coralgablesvenetianpool.com
