Formed from a rock quarry in 1923, Venetian
Pool is included in the National Register of Historic Places. This
820,000-gallon pool is fed with cool spring water daily, and features two
waterfalls and coral caves.
Coral Gables Landmarks – Venetian Pool
The Venetian Pool, with its vine-covered loggias, shady porticos and cascading
waterfalls, is one of the City’s most beautiful and popular landmarks. Fed by
underground artesian wells, it was once a quarry pit, its only value being the
limestone it produced for the construction of that time. Through the creative
efforts of Denman Fink and Phineas Paist, this eyesore was transformed in 1924
to what was then called Venetian Casino.
During its heyday, gondolas plied its waters. Movie stars, such as Esther
Williams and Johnny Weismuller of Tarzan fame, swam its length. The orchestras
of Paul Whitman & Jan Garber serenaded pool-side dancers; and bathing
beauties by the hundreds promenaded across specially-constructed walkways,
while visiting dignitaries toured "the world’s most beautiful swimming hole."
Today, Venetian Pool has more than 100,000 annual visitors and three
generations of Gables residents have learned to swim there – all captivated by
the charm of the setting and invigorated by the clear, cool water. Venetian
Pool is drained nightly during summer months, its 820,000 gallons of water
replenished each day from the subterranean aquifer that flows beneath it. At
one point, this practice was scheduled to be discontinued in order to preserve
South Florida’s water supply. But, in 1988, a method was found that would allow
the pool to replenish its water without diminishing natural resources by
recycling the water, through ground filtration, back into the aquifer. This new
technology, along with a complete restoration of the facility, will ensure that
the Venetian Pool will continue to be a joy for our residents and visitors for
many years to come.
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