Sarasota is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in America, the Mote Marine Laboratory Aquarium, the Marine Selby Botanical Gardens and the Van Wezel Preforming Arts Hall just to mention a few. What many locals and tourists are discovering and did not know about is The John and Marble Ringling Museum of Art. What is so special about this museum? I’m glad you asked. Here are seven reason to love the Ringling Museum of Art:

1.Free admission on Monday:

The museum opens its doors free or charge every Monday from 11am-2pm. You cannot go wrong with free.

2.The Ringling estate is part of Tampa bay history:

John Ringling was a circus promoter and best-known of the five siblings who started the Ringling Bros. Circus in 1884. He and his wife Mable Ringling first arrived in Sarasota in 1909. In 1926, they completed their mansion Ca’d’Zan a Venetian Gothic style palazzos. At the time of his death, Ringling left his collection and estate to the people of the state of Florida. This is a piece of history worth admiring and enjoying.

3. More than one museum to see:

Visiting the Ringling estate is not just about the Museum of Art, you could also visit in the same estate the Circus Museum, The Ringling’s mansion Ca’D’Zan, the Tibbals Learning Center, the Historic Asolo Theater, The Ringling Art Library, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, The museum of Asian, Ancient and Non-Western Art collection.

(Georgina and Elizabeth Reay) by George Watson. Born in 1767 in Edinburgh, Scotland, Watson was a proliferous portraitist who painted over one hundred portraits. This is just an example of the exquisite collection of art.

5. Bayfront Gardens

One of the most fragrant and beautiful parts of the estate are the gardens that surround the property called The Bayfront Gardens. The first part to be completed was the Rose Garden encompassing 27,225 square foot of fragrant roses. Its Italian circular design patterned after a wagon wheel aligns with garden sculptures. In 2004 was completely restored by volunteers and given the accreditation of Most Outstanding All-American Rose Selections Public Rose Garden in the nation.

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6. Beneath the Banyans

14 Banyan trees are the majestic collection of the Ringling estate which is the largest collection in Florida. Among the 100-year trees there is a statue made of limestone buried in the roots of banyans. Holding right hand up to head as if in thought and left hand holding scroll in front of stomach, the Ringling estate has the statue catalogued as Putto Holding Scroll.

7. Classic art from the 1600s

One of the most exquisite works of art is the Ebony and Tortoiseshell Veneered Cabinet Insert with Painted Panels. The paintings are attributed to Frans Fracken, a Flemish artist born in 1581. The cabinet was built in the 1600s and was purchased by the Ringling Museum in 1974. This piece does not need words to describe the detail of the paintings.

The Ringling Museum of Art offers even more things like live performances by professional artists and students of the Ringling college. This is a place that you will love as soon as you step into it.

For more information, visit www.ringling.org.