Venetian Pool Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Venetian Pool
U.S. National Register of Historic Places

Venetian Pool in Coral Gables, Florida, June 2016
Location	Coral Gables, Florida, United States
Area	4 acres (16,000 m²)
Built	1924
Architect	Phineas Paist
NRHP reference No.	81000193
Added to NRHP	August 20, 1981

Kids diving off rock hill at the Venetian Pool tourist attraction in Coral Gables, Florida in the 1940s

The Venetian Pool is a super cool and historic public swimming pool in Coral Gables, Florida. It opened way back in 1924! Two talented people, Phineas Paist and Denman Fink, helped design this unique place.

The Pool's Amazing Story
What Makes Venetian Pool Special?
- Exploring the Pool
- Keeping It Beautiful
How the Pool Stays Green
Plan Your Visit
- When to Visit (2022 Schedule)
- Admission Prices
Gallery
See also

The Pool's Amazing Story

The Venetian Pool first opened in 1924. It was called "Venetian Casino" back then. This special pool was made from an old coral rock quarry. A quarry is a place where rocks are dug out of the ground. This one was left empty in 1921.

How It All Began

George Merrick created the pool as part of his plan for Coral Gables, Florida. He wanted Coral Gables to look like a beautiful Mediterranean town. Many buildings used coral rock for their fancy designs. Architect Phineas Paist and artist Denman Fink helped turn the old quarry into this amazing pool. They named it after the city of Venice, Italy, which is famous for its canals and bridges. That's why the pool has a Venetian-style bridge and classic boat posts!

Fun Changes Over Time

The Venetian Pool has changed a few times since it opened. At one point, there was a big island where Venetian-style gondolas could dock. Gondolas are like long, narrow boats. Later, these boats were removed. There was also a tall diving platform above a waterfall, but that was taken down too.

In its early days, the pool was sometimes completely drained. Why? So the Miami Symphony could perform concerts inside! The quarry walls made the music sound incredible. In 2001, for Coral Gables' 75th birthday, they did another orchestra performance.

A Historic Landmark

In 1981, the Venetian Pool became a very important place. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as a special site in U.S. history. It's actually the only swimming pool on this list! The pool also had a big makeover in 1989 to bring back many of its original features.

What Makes Venetian Pool Special?

The Venetian Pool is built in a shallow quarry. It holds about 820,000 gallons of fresh water! This water comes from natural underground wells every day. This makes it the largest freshwater pool in the United States.

Exploring the Pool

The pool has different depths. It goes from about four feet deep to over eight feet near the big waterfall. There's also a shallow, two-foot deep area for younger kids. A lifeguard station sits on a bridge that leads to an island with two tall palm trees.

Across the pool, you'll find a cool grotto. These are natural water-filled caves that go back about twelve feet into the hillside. There's also a sandy area where you can relax in the sun. A small café is nearby, which is sometimes used for special events. A walking path goes all around the pool complex.

Keeping It Beautiful

The pool has been carefully looked after. It had a huge historical restoration in 1989. Another big renovation happened between September 2008 and April 2009. This kept the pool looking great for everyone to enjoy.

How the Pool Stays Green

For a while, some people worried about how much fresh water the pool used. It was completely drained and refilled every night. This raised concerns about using too much water from Florida's underground water sources, called aquifers.

In 1998, a smart solution was found! Now, the water is drained back into the aquifer. It goes through natural ground filters first. This way, the precious water is recycled. It helps the pool stay fresh and clear without wasting a natural resource.

Plan Your Visit

The Venetian Pool's hours change throughout the year. It's usually open from Tuesday to Sunday.

When to Visit (2022 Schedule)

February 1 to March 19: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
March 21 to May 29:
- Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
May 30 to August 14:
- Monday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
September 6 to October 23: Tuesday to Friday, 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
October 25 to November 27: Tuesday to Sunday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

The pool is closed on certain holidays. These include New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Day, President’s Day, Thanksgiving Day, the Day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day.