The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art
The Ringling
The art estate left by circus king John Ringling, where Rubens’ monumental paintings, the Venetian Gothic mansion Ca’ d’Zan and a circus museum come together on the bay.
The Ringling estate covers about 27 hectares. It was built in the 1920s by circus magnate John Ringling and his wife, Mable, and is now part of Florida State University. There are three main highlights. First, the art museum is styled like an Italian Renaissance villa and houses European Baroque paintings. It is especially known for Rubens’ series of monumental canvases, and a bronze replica of the statue of David stands in the courtyard. Second, Ca’ d’Zan, a Venetian Gothic mansion on the bay, has well-preserved ornate interiors and furniture (a guided tour costs extra). Third, the Circus Museum features a huge miniature circus model, an old Ringling circus train car and performance costumes. The estate also has a rose garden and a banyan tree grove. Admission costs about USD 30, and on Mondays the art museum’s permanent collection is free. Plan for a half day to a full day.
Opening hours
10:00–17:00 (until 20:00 on Thursdays)
Nearby sights
- Sarasota Jungle Gardens
- Bayfront Park & Unconditional Surrender
- Marie Selby Botanical Gardens
- St. Armands Circle
- Lido Key Beach
- Lido Key Mangrove Tunnels
- Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA)
- Siesta Key Beach