Results for "Pompeii"

On this day, August 24, the eruption of Mount Vesuvius buried the ancient Roman cities of Pompeii and Herculaneum, preserving them in time.

A lost masterpiece of ancient Greek sculpture, 'Canon of Polyclitus,' has been successfully reconstructed and exhibited at the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

A new study indicates that the inhabitants of Pompeii primarily consumed plant-based foods such as grains and legumes, with meat and fish playing a minor role in their diet.

New archaeological evidence, including the discovery of a deceased teenager, may change our understanding of the prehistoric Santorini volcano eruption, one of the greatest natural disasters.

Actor Tom Hiddleston is featured in a new National Geographic documentary about Pompeii, a project he was inspired to pursue by fellow Marvel actor Chris Hemsworth. Hiddleston had previously suggested Pompeii as a location for his 'Loki' series.

Archaeologists in Pompeii have uncovered a magnificent fresco ceiling within an ancient banquet hall, depicting the well-known Greek myth of Dionysus and Ariadne.

A fresco depicting the wedding of Dionysus and Ariadne, located on the vaulted ceiling of a banquet hall in the House of the Oven, has been restored in Pompeii.

Reviews for the documentary 'Pompeii: Out of Time With Tom Hiddleston' have been released, with critics offering varied opinions on its appeal and execution. Some suggest it could attract a younger audience, while others found it cringeworthy.

Tom Hiddleston will portray Pompeii from the perspective of its survivors in a new National Geographic series, premiering July 23 on Disney+, using inscriptions on the city's walls as evidence of those who escaped Mount Vesuvius.

A Finnish newspaper highlights five new television programs scheduled to air this week, including sci-fi documentaries, comedies, and a new historical piece on Pompeii.

Two millennia after its destruction by volcanic ash, an ancient Roman street in Pompeii is now flourishing with flowers, symbolizing nature's resilience and renewal at the historic site.

An exhibition dedicated to Dionysus has opened in Pompeii, a city whose ruins are a major draw for millions of tourists two millennia after its destruction in the 79 AD eruption.

Marvel's Tom Hiddleston will star in an upcoming Disney+ series, 'Pompeii Out Of Time', where he ventures into the past to investigate one of history's most tragic volcanic eruptions.

Researchers have found the remains of two horse-relatives in a large-scale bread-making facility in Pompeii, with laboratory analyses expected to determine their function.

The La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, the world's only urban, active ice age excavation site, is receiving a significant facelift for the first time in nearly 50 years.

New 3D scans have shed light on how ancient Romans constructed 2,000-year-old mystery vessels found in Pompeii, though their exact function continues to remain unknown.

A new archaeological study has led to the identification of a doctor from ancient Pompeii, thanks to a discovered tool kit. This finding sheds light on the dramatic final moments of the city's destruction.

This article recounts the historical event of Pompeii, a Roman town that was buried under ash in a single day.

Archaeologists have identified one of the victims trapped in Pompeii's pyroclastic cloud by analyzing a toolbox found with the remains, adding to the fourteen previously identified molds.

New research provides clarity on the professions of those who died during the eruption of Vesuvius in Pompeii, reporting on a man who may have been on duty until the very end. This study offers insights into the daily lives of the ancient city's inhabitants.

Today marks one year since Pope Leo's election, with a first review of his tenure and a new appeal for peace made during his visit to Pompeii.

Archaeologists at the ancient Roman site of Pompeii have utilized artificial intelligence for the first time to digitally reconstruct the face of a man who died during the eruption.

Archaeologists in Pompeii used AI for the first time to digitally reconstruct the face of a man who was killed in the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD. This move offers a new way...

This article debates the risks and advantages of a social media trend where correspondents virtually visit historical events, from Black Death London to Pompeii.

Researchers are employing artificial intelligence technology to generate a visual representation of a victim from the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, offering new insights into the historical event.

Forty years after the Chernobyl disaster, experts reflect on the catastrophe, with one describing the exclusion zone as 'modern Pompeii,' and discuss the minimal probability of a similar event recurring due to extensive safety measures implemented since.

Archaeologists in Pompeii have reportedly found traces of a legendary multi-shot weapon, dubbed an 'ancient machine gun', shedding new light on historical weaponry.

Researchers analyzing residues from domestic cult practices in Pompeii have uncovered evidence of a global trade network through the offerings burned for Roman household gods.

Archaeologists have investigated vessels containing ash from smoke offerings found in and around Pompeii, shedding light on what the Pompeians sacrificed to their gods.

Researchers have found new evidence suggesting the use of an ancient weapon, a Polybolus, in Pompeii. Holes in the city wall are believed to have been caused by projectiles from this sophisticated ancient 'machine gun'.

Researchers are studying ancient graffiti in Pompeii to gain a deeper understanding of the daily lives, humor, and concerns of its inhabitants nearly 2,000 years ago.

On Thursday, March 12, a permanent exhibition was opened in Italy, presenting over 20 sculptures cast in plaster, recreating the agony of the victims of the Pompeii volcano in their...

Also documentaries about Pompeii and dinosaurs, "Columbo", "Léon – The Professional" and "The Outsiders"

Archaeologists in Pompeii discovered 2,000-year-old love notes using advanced technology, revealing romantic messages such as, "Take care, my Sava, love me!"

A new friendship agreement has been formally established between the ancient Italian city of Pompeii and the Irish capital, Dublin.

The ancient Roman city of Herdonia, often called the 'Pompeii of Puglia,' remains closed to visitors with excavations halted since 2000, though there are signs of potential future activity.

Researchers have discovered what the ancient Roman city of Pompeii likely smelled like, based on exotic tree resin found in domestic incense burners. The findings suggest the resin may have originated from Asia or Africa, offering new insights into daily life.

An unveiling in Pompeii of a dark-skinned reconstruction of Polyklet's famous Doryphoros (Spear-Bearer) has sparked debate, with its reinterpretation by Pompeii archaeologist Gabriel Zuchtriegel drawing criticism.

Archaeologists in Pompeii have unveiled a partially reconstructed frescoed ceiling vault of a banquet hall, revealing intricate mythological scenes from the ancient city buried by Mount Vesuvius in A.D. 79.

Actor Tom Hiddleston is set to narrate a new documentary series that delves into the history of Pompeii. The series aims to reveal new insights and challenge common perceptions about the ancient Roman city.

Archaeologists in Pompeii are in the process of reconstructing the frescoed ceiling of a banquet hall, with more fragments expected to be added to the restoration.

'Loki' Executive Producer Kevin R. Wright talks about his new company formed with Tom Hiddleston and explains Hiddleston's comfort in joining 'Avengers: Doomsday' despite 'Loki' seemingly completing his character's arc.

New insights offer a glimpse into the daily lives and experiences of the survivors who endured the catastrophic Pompeii disaster.

A documentary titled 'Pompeii: Out of Time With Tom Hiddleston' explores the eruption of Vesuvius, combining the actor's narration with scholarly insights to depict the heroism and tragedy of ordinary Romans.

Scientists have used artificial intelligence to recreate the last moments of a Pompeii resident who attempted to shield their head during the eruption of Mount Vesuvius. Researchers hope this new technology will help reconstruct the past and better protect invaluable heritage sites.

Disney has unveiled the first trailer for its new fantasy world, 'Hexed,' and also released the official trailer and release date for 'Pompeii: Out Of Time,' a docudrama hosted by Tom Hiddleston. The latter features Hiddleston uncovering evidence of the fallen Roman city.

Archaeologists have discovered two skeletons inside a Pompeii bakery, which could provide crucial clues to an unsolved mystery surrounding the ancient eruption nearly 2,000 years ago.

A collaboration between Pompeii and Humboldt University is demonstrating how an entire destroyed ancient city can be digitally reconstructed. This project offers new insights into daily life in antiquity.

Archaeologists in Pompeii have made a new discovery, unearthing a victim from the catastrophic 79 AD Vesuvius eruption who was attempting to flee, with details emerging about what he held in his hands.

Modern analysis of remains found in Pompeii suggests a victim of the Vesuvius eruption, discovered with a 'medical kit,' may have been a physician.

This article highlights various ancient cities, including Fatehpur Sikri and Pompeii, that are still accessible for exploration today.

The planned closure of the archaeology department at Humboldt University in Berlin is criticized as 'academic cannibalism' by Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of Pompeii's archaeological park. An alternative concept has been proposed.

A doctor who fled the eruption of Vesuvius has been identified in Pompeii through the analysis of a 1961 plaster cast, with modern technology revealing his surgical instruments within the cast.

Archaeologists in Italy’s Pompeii have for the first time used artificial intelligence to reconstruct the appearance of one ​of the victims of the volcanic eruption that destroyed ‌the ancient Roman…

An international research team is utilizing modern technology to uncover hundreds of ancient inscriptions and graffiti on the walls of Pompeii, offering new insights into daily life before the Vesuvius eruption.

Archaeologists have utilized artificial intelligence to create a striking portrait of a victim who attempted to escape the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in Pompeii in 79 AD. This AI-generated image offers a new perspective on the ancient tragedy.

It is based on the recent discovery of the remains of a male adult, just outside one of the southern gates of the city, lying next to a terracotta mortar that he presumably used as protection.

A new archaeological study proposes that Roman forces may have utilized a makeshift but effective ancient 'machine gun' during the siege of Pompeii, challenging established views on the evolution of military technology.

A recreation of 'panis quadratus,' a simple ancient Roman bread made of water, flour, and salt, has been brought back to Pompeii for the first time in two millennia. The bread was carefully divided into eight sections and bound with rope, reflecting historical culinary practices.

A new study of Pompeii confirms the ancient city's significance within Rome's global trade network, with findings including remnants of a grape-derived product consistent with ritual wine use.

Casts of Pompeii victims, captured at the time of their death, have been put on display.

Researchers studying incensary remains in Pompeii have discovered ashes containing residues of wine and incense, revealing the types of offerings Roman families made to gods in their domestic shrines.

Earl Sweatshirt and MIKE have revealed Australian tour dates, following the announcement of their collaborative album 'POMPEII // UTILITY' with New York collective SURF GANG.

'The Last Days of Pompeii' arrives at Ideal Barcelona with a proposal that combines archaeological pieces, projections, and virtual reality to tour the Roman city before and during the eruption...

At least 20 new plaster casts of Pompeii victims, including a three-year-old and 'the embraced,' are being exhibited for the first time, vividly capturing their agony, pain, and terror at the moment of death during the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 AD.

The eighth edition of the DOK #8 International Feature Documentary Film Festival will take place from February 26 to March 1 in Belgrade, showcasing a curated selection of contemporary documentary films.

(ANSA) - ROME, FEB 19 - Pompei, Naples, Lampedusa and Assisi are among the places Pope Leo XIV will visit this year in his travels around Italy, the Vatican said on Thursday. The first trip will take place on May 8 when the American pontiff will go to Pompei, the modern town that is home to the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Pompeii and to the Pontifical Shrine of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary of Pompei, and then visit Naples. He will return to Campania on May 23 to go to Acerra and meet faithful from the 'Land of Fires, an area between Naples and Caserta where the mafia and others have been burning toxic waste for years and pushing up cancer rates. He will be in Pavia on June 20 and Lampedusa, the Italian island that is often the destination migrants seeking to reach Europe from North Africa head towards, on July 4. Leo will visit Saint Francis's home town Assisi on August 6 and on August 22 he will take part in the 47th Meeting for Friendship Among Peoples organized by Catholic Comunione e Liberazione (CL) movement. He will be the first pope to take part in the Rimini meeting since John Paul II in 1982. (ANSA). Read article...

A partially restored ancient fresco depicting the marriage of Dionysus and Ariadne has been put on display in Pompeii, with its reconstruction aided by comparison with other ancient works.

A long-lost masterpiece of ancient Greek sculpture, Polyclitus' Canon, has been recreated by the Archaeological Park of Pompeii.

Scientists have successfully reconstructed the smells of ancient Roman homes in Pompeii before the Vesuvius eruption by analyzing ancient censers, revealing the use of local plants and imported aromatic resins in religious rituals.

Researchers have successfully read the entirety of one of the charred, ancient papyrus scrolls from Pompeii without physically opening it, revealing insights into daily life from 2000 years ago.

A satirical travel warning advises against visiting Pompeii, humorously citing a lack of modern amenities like oat milk cafes and ATMs, and an abundance of ancient columns.

Archaeologists have painstakingly restored a rare ceiling from Pompeii by assembling about 1,000 fragments, revealing a scene depicting the mythological love story of Dionysus and Ariadne.

A Pompeii entrepreneur, involved in the Sangiuliano scandal at Mic, has publicly defended journalist Ranucci, calling him a 'wonderful man' and criticizing the invasion of his private life.

Emmy Rossum is set to star as FBI agent Alice Black in an 8-episode criminal thriller series inspired by the 1987 film "Black Widow." The Bulgarian article also mentions Tom Hiddleston and Pompeii.

The director of Pompeii, Gabriel Zuchtriegel, explores the success of Christianity through recent archaeological finds, shedding light on ancient fears, cults, and the longing for inner freedom.

Tom Hiddleston explains how a teenage visit to Pompeii in 1998, followed by his suggestion to incorporate the destroyed city into his 'Loki' series, led to his latest project: a National Geographic documentary on the ancient site.

Excavations in Pompeii have revealed the secret behind durable, self-healing Roman concrete, with researchers successfully reproducing the innovative building method in the laboratory.

Remains of equine animals discovered in Pompeii's 'Chaste Lovers' complex are providing new insights into the role of farm animals in the daily lives of Roman elites just before the eruption of Vesuvius.

A newly discovered inscription in Pompeii is challenging official historical accounts of the city's destruction, leading to a division among historians as new evidence accumulates.

Archaeology faces a crisis, prompting discussions on its societal contribution and potential for a new beginning, according to Pompeii's archaeological park director Gabriel Zuchtriegel.

Scientists using modern analysis methods have examined remains found near a man who died in Pompeii during the eruption of Vesuvius, suggesting the victim of the nearly 2000-year-old disaster could have been a physician.

New analysis of archaeological finds has revealed the identity of a Pompeii victim as a doctor who was attempting to flee the eruption of Vesuvius. The discovery was made over 60 years after the initial find.

Scientists have identified a victim from Pompeii as a physician, based on the discovery of a medical kit and surgical tools found clutched in their hand.

An extraordinary discovery at the Pompeii Archaeological Park has revealed that one of the victims of the Vesuvius eruption nearly two millennia ago was a doctor attempting to flee.

Archaeologists have identified one of the victims of the Vesuvius eruption in Pompeii as a doctor, marking the first time a profession has been assigned to a victim. The individual was found carrying medical instruments while attempting to flee.

Italian scientist David Caramelli is using ancient DNA analysis to solve historical mysteries, including that of a "mother and child" from Pompeii. He also aims to find the remains of Leonardo da Vinci, emphasizing how DNA can rewrite history.

The face of a Pompeii victim, who died protecting his head with a terracotta mortar during the initial stages of the disaster, has been reconstructed for the first time using artificial intelligence.

Archaeologists have utilized AI for the first time to digitally reconstruct the face of a man killed in the AD 79 eruption of Mount Vesuvius, providing new insights into the ancient disaster.

Archaeologists in Pompeii have used artificial intelligence for the first time to reconstruct the appearance of one of the victims of the volcanic eruption that destroyed the city nearly 2,000 years…

Scientists have found that the Pompeii worm can withstand the extreme heat of hydrothermal vents deep beneath the sea, making it an unusual and resilient creature.

Italian researchers have provided a surprising explanation for the regular holes found in Pompeii's city walls, suggesting Romans used a device resembling a machine gun.

Berlingske journalists present a daily quiz with 10 new questions, challenging readers' knowledge on various exciting topics, including ancient Pompeii.

Multiple reviews praise 'Pompeii // Utility' by Earl Sweatshirt, MIKE, and Surf Gang as a sprawling, two-headed opus that fuses hazy soul with a cold, industrial edge across 33 tracks, highlighting its appealing study in contrasts.

Earl Sweatshirt has teamed up with longtime friends MIKE and Surf Gang for a collaborative single titled 'Leadbelly,' with a joint album, 'Pompeii // Utility,' set for release in April.

An archaeological study using 3D reconstructions suggests that over 2000-year-old marks on the walls of Pompeii were made by a polybolos, an ancient predecessor to the modern machine gun.

A growing number of researchers are turning to the Pompeii's graffiti to better understand the lives, humor and concerns of ordinary people nearly 2,000 years ago.

Coastal towns west of Pompeii hold ‘fascinating’ legends

Humboldt University plans to close its Archaeological Institute in Berlin, prompting Gabriel Zuchtriegel, director of Pompeii, to advocate for its preservation and discuss the importance of classical culture and Latin education for children.

James Deering's 1916 winter home is located less than 10 minutes away from the heart of Miami. Robin Hill/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museums and Gardens Vizcaya, built by James Deering more than a century ago, might be Miami's most valuable real estate. The 45,000-square-foot mansion has a total of 54 rooms, with the main house open to the public. Citadel CEO Ken Griffin began assembling a waterfront compound next to the historic mansion in 2022. The exorbitant price tags on Miami's luxury real estate are not a secret to anyone, least of all the flock of billionaires moving to the city. But unlike the high-rise apartments in the financial center of Brickell or exclusive mansions in Indian Creek — where you might be neighbors with Jeff Bezos or Ivanka Trump — the city's potentially most valuable piece of real estate is decorated with limestone, mangroves, and tiles salvaged from Cuban estates. Built between 1914 and 1922 by International Harvester heir and Gilded Age millionaire James Deering as a winter home, Villa Vizcaya sits fewer than 10 minutes from downtown Miami, in a waterfront neighborhood that's quickly becoming a magnet for the city's new billionaire residents. While built in the years following the Gilded Age, it is notable for its Gilded Age-era extravagance, technologies, and collection of fine art. Vizcaya Museum & Gardens estimates the mansion cost $26 million to build, which is more than $800 million in today's money, per the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Florida International University estimates that the mansion is worth over $1 billion today. In 1962, Miami-Dade County bought the property for $1 million, and today, the 45,000-square-foot mansion and its surrounding gardens operate as a museum open to the public. Shortly after announcing that Citadel would move its headquarters from Chicago to Miami, CEO Ken Griffin bought up a waterfront compound less than a half-mile from Vizcaya, in the neighborhood of Coconut Grove. The $106.9 million sale set a country record for the most expensive residential property purchase at the time. Since then, the hedge fund magnate has proposed relocating the historic Villa Serena mansion, located on his estate, to Vizcaya's campus after he donated $20 million to Vizcaya Museum and Gardens. Take a look inside James Deering's historic mansion and see how its new neighbor could alter the surrounding landscape. Vizcaya was James Deering's winter home from 1916 until his death in 1925. Robin Hill Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Struggling with illness toward the end of his life, James Deering came to Miami, then a small city surrounded by mangrove forests and wetlands, looking for tropical warmth, which was believed to help improve health. By the turn of the century, the Deering family had begun to develop estates around South Florida, with patriarch William Deering purchasing a home in Coconut Grove in 1900. By the time James Deering began building Vizcaya, his brother, Charles Deering, was also developing a winter home in the south of Miami. The property, known today as Deering Estate, also operates as a museum and is open to the public. The main house features 54 rooms, including 34 rooms decorated with their original furniture. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Spanning over 45,225 square feet, Vizcaya's main house features the living spaces of James Deering himself, his guests, and the house staff. Envisioned by interior designer Paul Chalfin, Vizcaya drew inspiration from the Italian Renaissance, adapted to South Florida's subtropical climate, and showcases furniture, artworks, and artifacts purchased by Chalfin and Deering on their travels to Europe. Although Miami's population was estimated to be only 10,000 in 1916, the construction of the Vizcaya estate employed an estimated 1,000 workers, many of whom were Black immigrants from the Bahamas. Apart from the main house, Vizcaya is also home to the Vizcaya Village, the historic quarters of the mansion's workers and farmers that allowed Vizcaya to serve as a self-sufficient farm-to-table estate. The Village expands over 12 acres and includes 11 "architecturally significant" buildings, according to the museum's website. The tour begins in the courtyard, which is adorned with tropical plants. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Lined with tropical plants such as palms and philodendrons, the courtyard highlights South Florida's natural beauty while reflecting the mansion's European inspirations. While today the courtyard is covered by a glass canopy that allows for the estate's air conditioning, it was originally open to the elements, allowing the tropical climate to seep into the main house. Meant to be used as Vizcaya's main entrance, the East Loggia opens up to the Biscayne Bay. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Featuring marble floors and columns and decorated ceilings, the East Loggia was meant to serve as Vizcaya's main entrance for guests arriving by sea, which was Deering's intended — and preferred — way of entering the mansion. It was used as an entrance for guests who arrived by boat, while the current main entrance of the museum was used as a back entrance for guests arriving by car. The room also features a model boat hanging from its ceiling in honor of the explorers who inspired Deering's interpretation of Vizcaya. Although he began living in Vizcaya during his retirement, Deering included multiple working spaces in the property. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider James Deering was heir to the International Harvester manufacturing firm, which produced tractors and other agricultural machinery, and he worked as its vice president from 1902 until 1909. Deering might have been one of the first prominent Florida "snowbirds," retirees who travel South during the colder months. His downstairs library, located in the northwest corner of the main house, is steps from the entrance hall that welcomes guests. It features Deering's personal book collection, desks for him and a secretary, and seats for business guests. When closed, the door leading to the next room — a reception room meant for entertaining guests — is concealed within the book-lined walls. The reception room features a ceiling imported from Venice, which had to be resized to fit. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider The reception room is lined with tropical-inspired silk panels showing palm trees. Our tour guide brought our attention to the ceiling, which is decorated with sculpted panels that extend to the sides of the room. The ceiling was imported from Venice and purchased before construction on the property was finished. By the time workers were putting up the decorations in the mansion, they realized that the ceiling panel did not fit the room dimensions, leading to the restructuring of the panel, which curved into the walls. "We should remember that this house was built during the First World War," curator Flaminia Gennari said in the audio tour. "So to import large quantities from Italy in the middle of the war was very complicated." Vizcaya's telephone line was one of the first in Miami. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Wired throughout the house, Vizcaya features a highly innovative telephone system for the time. Only 17 years before the start of Vizcaya's construction, the Miami Telephone Company began providing telephone service to the city. Vizcaya's telephones also featured automatic electric exchange, allowing users to connect directly to the number they dialed without going through a human operator. The telephone room, located between two of Vizcaya's main entertainment rooms, was meant for guests to communicate privately without disturbing the flow of the entertainment. The living room showcased Deering's most impressive collections. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider The living room, with its 1600s limestone fireplace, features some of Vizcaya's most impressive items, including an "admiral carpet" originally commissioned in the 1450s by the grandfather of King Ferdinand II of Spain, the Spanish king who sponsored Christopher Columbus' exploration of the Americas. The room also features throne-like armchairs where US President Ronald Reagan and Pope John Paul II sat in 1987 during the Pope's visit to America. A centerpiece of the room is the Welte Philharmonic Organ, designed to fill the house with music through elaborate sound systems. Designed for guests rather than full-time professional players, the organ uses perforated paper rolls to aid the musicians' performance by adjusting notes and volume. Concealing the organ pipes is an oil painting, which was cut in half to cover wooden doors. "Chalfin had the idea of cutting it in half and using it as the doors of the organs, which is not a very respectful thing to do for a representation of the Virgin Mary, the child, and the saints, but it somehow testifies to the freedom and positive carelessness that they had around old objects," Gennari said in the audio tour. The mansion's formal dining room features the house's oldest artifacts, although it was rarely used. Robin Hill Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens While Deering himself didn't often eat in the formal dining room, he made sure it was impressively decorated for his guests. Sitting to the side is the room's most awe-inspiring feature: a marble tabletop on carved bases resembling mythical creatures, historical artifacts unearthed near Pompeii, dating back to the times before Mount Vesuvius' eruption. Next to the dining room, on the south side of the mansion, the enclosed loggia gave guests a view of the gardens. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider The colorful glass panels, designed for Vizcaya, feature the estate's main symbols: the seahorse and the caravan. Providing a view of the garden through the glass panels and double doors, the enclosed loggia allowed guests to take in the garden views while staying cool from the Florida sun. The loggia also connects the gardens to the main house through sculpted iron gates. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Aside from giving guests an inside view of the gardens from the ground level, the room also connects the outdoors to the rest of the mansion. Downstairs, the kitchen worked as a serving space for staff to plate food and bring it to guests. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider When designing Vizcaya, Deering asked for the main kitchen to be built upstairs as he didn't want the smell of food to flood the main entertaining rooms on the first floor. To facilitate the transportation of meals and the serving of guests to the dining room, the entertaining rooms, and the loggia, he built a downstairs serving pantry. Today, the serving pantry cabinets display one set of Deering's fine dining china, the one designated for his 80-foot-long luxury yacht, Nepenthe. Commissioned in 1912 to be shipped from Europe, the original set of china purchased by Deering was transported to America as cargo aboard the Titanic. After the ship sank, a replacement set was ordered and is now displayed. The kitchens feature state-of-the-art Gilded Age technology. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Throughout the house, Deering incorporated cutting-edge technology, including annunciators with bells connected throughout the house that Deering or guests could ring at any time to get the house staff's attention. Another then-advanced feature of the serving kitchen were its refrigerators, which were rare at the time. The kitchen also featured a warming oven that helped keep food warm while guests were served. Connecting to the upstairs kitchen, which serves as the house's main cooking area, was a dumbwaiter: a food elevator meant to carry the food cooked upstairs to the downstairs plating area, where staff would then take it to the main entertaining rooms, like the dining and sitting rooms. Upstairs, 24 rooms housed guests, staff, and Deering himself. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Nine of the bedrooms were dedicated to guests and each was given a name and decorated uniquely, showcasing the artifacts and furniture purchased by Deering and Chalfin on trips to Europe. While not open to the public, an additional 14 rooms housed staff. Another then-advanced technological feature of Vizcaya was its elevator. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Deering was motivated to move to South Florida because of his illness, so accessibility features were built throughout the house, including an elevator he would use when using a wheelchair or to avoid walking upstairs. Today, the elevator isn't open to the public, and the museum's second floor is not wheelchair accessible. Deering's main office was inspired by the Napoleonic era. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Connected to Deering's bedroom and bathroom, the sitting room was his office where he would tend to business and personal matters, such as sorting his mail. The decoration style was inspired by Napoleonic France. Deering's bedroom was modest compared to some of his guest bedrooms. Robin Hill/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Unmarried all his life, Deering's room features a single bed rather than a larger size, and his room is furnished for practicality rather than aesthetics. His personal bathroom has one of the most breathtaking views of the property. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Opening onto a balcony, Deering's bathroom overlooks Biscayne Bay and offers one of the best views of the house, although it is not accessible to the public today. The closed-off balcony also leads to a secret door to the Espagnolette, the guest bedroom located next to his, usually reserved for Deering's dearest guests. Spiral staircases lead to the South tower. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider A set of spiral staircases leads up to the South tower, one of the two guest suites overlooking the estate. The tower bedroom has views of the bay and the gardens. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider The corner room atop the North tower was designed to transport guests to Europe. "Water reflects upwards to the ceiling and the sound of waves is audible in this room, precisely as upon the quay of this great canal of Venice," noted Chalfin about the room, according to the mansion's website. A central piece in the room is a large wardrobe assembled with 1700s Venetian panels, as well as antique painted closet doors. The breakfast room was Deering's preferred dining space. Robin Hill Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum & Gardens Back on the second floor, the breakfast room was the central entertaining spot. The room is lined with oil paintings depicting ocean scenes, and the windows slide into pocket doors, revealing views of the garden. It also features a sound system, with a piano hidden in a room off the spiral staircase next door and connected to the breakfast room through floor vents that allow sound to travel into the space. Most of the time, Deering opted to dine in this room rather than the formal dining space. Tucked next to the breakfast room is the main kitchen. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Designed to maximize staff efficiency, the main kitchen upstairs has different areas for different tasks, including separate sinks for washing dishes and produce. It also features ice boxes, or refrigerators of the time, powered by salt water. During Deering's time at the estate, Vizcaya employed two French chefs dedicated to food and pastries. Food served at the mansion was sourced from the staff village built across the street, where a farm provided vegetables, dairy, chicken, herbs, and citrus. "You and I could come down and drive into the farm area, stop and buy a dozen Deering eggs and take them home and have them for breakfast, and I think that was probably particularly important during World War I," historian Arva Moore Parks said in the audio tour. "He was able to supply not only himself but his workers also." Inspired by European designs, the gardens feature mazes, terraces, fountains, and more. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Inspired by 17th- and 18th-century Italian and French villas, the Vizcaya gardens feature a variety of scenes, from a garden theater to multiple paths and mazes, intended to highlight and enhance the native South Florida flora surrounding the estate. The original layout of Vizcaya featured over 180 acres of subtropical forests. Today, that number has gone down to 50 acres. In 1987, President Ronald Reagan hosted Pope John Paul II at the estate. Diana Walker/Getty Images On September 10, 1987, President Ronald Reagan welcomed Pope John Paul II at Vizcaya, where the two conversed while exploring the gardens and the estate. Atop a garden mount is the Casino, a focal point of the gardens. Robin Hill/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museums and Gardens Located at the top of garden mounds designed to block the reflection of water ponds into the main house, the garden casino — Italian for "little house" — was a space where Deering and his guests could take in the garden views or enjoy the subtropical weather without being in direct contact with the sun. Inside the building, a painted ceiling depicts heavenly images. Underneath, bathrooms and other now closed-off areas hide under decorated ceilings. Originally, the casino overlooked a water park part of the estate, where gondolas would be launched, a crucial part of Deering's vision for Vizcaya. Today, the water park no longer exists, and the land is instead taken up by a Catholic church, hospital, and schools after the Deering family sold part of the property to the Catholic Diocese of St. Augustine in 1946. The opposite side of the estate was once used for clandestine entertainment; now, it is a café. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider While today a café sits underneath the mansion, the space served as a leisure center during Deering's stay. The rooms were filled with billiard tables, bowling alleys, and leather chairs. Hidden underneath the billiards table was also a roulette table, which Deering often used when his college friends visited the estate. The mansion, which opened at the peak of the Prohibition era, also had a decent supply of liquor, which Deering smuggled into the estate and hid in secret bars and cellars. The swimming pool is half-covered, providing relief from South Florida's relentless sun. Robin Hill/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens Tucked next to the leisure rooms underneath the main house is the half-indoor swimming pool, in which Deering is said to have only swum once. Designed as the main entry point to the mansion, the east side of the mansion opens up to a stone barge in the Biscayne Bay. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider When he first moved into his winter home in December 1916, Deering arrived by sea on what he intended was the front entrance to Vizcaya. Opening up to the Biscayne Bay, the waterfront side of the property features a stone barge, a sculpted structure that acts as a breakwater and protects the main house from changing tides and waves. Today, the mansion hosts private events and has become a local staple for Quinceañera pictures. The mansion is often used for private events. Kristine Villarroel/Business Insider Purchased from the Deering family by Miami-Dade County for $1 million in 1962, Vizcaya today operates as a museum open to the public and for private reservations. The estate often serves as the backdrop for Quinceañera pictures among Miami's large Hispanic population. Walking around the gardens, I saw multiple young women dressed in extravagant gowns posing in the many stunning locations of the estate. Along with being a photographic hot spot, Vizcaya also hosts private events, from Miami Swim Week runway shows to floral-decorated weddings in the gardens. Today, the estate remains an icon of Miami, a city that many would often relate to modern luxury rather than the old and classic wealth on display in Gilded Age-style mansions like Vizcaya. The Vizcaya Village could be the future home of Ken Griffin's Villa Serena. Robin Hil Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens After purchasing the historic Villa Serena estate in Coconut Grove in 2022, Citadel CEO Ken Griffin proposed relocating the 1913 Mediterranean Revival mansion to Vizcaya's Village campus. The home, designed by architect August Geiger for William Jennings Bryan, a three-time Democratic presidential candidate and former US secretary of state, is considered one of Miami's earliest grand waterfront residences. The proposal would move the century-old home from Griffin's property to Vizcaya's Village grounds, where it would be open to the public for the first time in its history and would benefit from an additional $5 million endowment provided by Griffin for its preservation. Any relocation would require extensive planning and government approvals, which have not yet been cleared. Skeptics have said that moving the structure would be an ambitious undertaking that wouldn't align with preservation goals. "Moving a historic structure is absolutely a last resort solution, to be done only if (there) is no other way possible to save a structure… It is not a preservation-minded alternative just because someone bought it and now doesn't want it," Kathleen Slesnick Kauffman, Miami's former historic preservation officer, told the Chicago Tribune in 2023. The Village originally served as Vizcaya's self-sufficient farm and the servants' quarters. Robin Hil Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens The Vizcaya Village, which covers about 12 acres of agricultural fields and includes nearly a dozen buildings, was originally built as the quarters for the mansion's servants and farmers. Today, the campus houses a café and hosts a weekly farmers market, and is undergoing construction and expansions to transform the grounds into a cultural and community space. The Citadel CEO's $20 million donation will expand the village's role in the community. Robin Hil Photography/Courtesy of Vizcaya Museum and Gardens In November 2025, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens announced a $20 million capital donation from Griffin and said that the funds would be used toward building a brand new Center for Learning and Discovery in the village grounds. Once open, the center will offer educational programming like "hands-on artmaking and urban-agriculture experiences," the museum organization wrote in the announcement. The expansion will seek to expand Vizcaya's role in its community. Read the original article on Business Insider