In a bay on the south-western Gulf coast of Florida is Sarasota (pop. 52,000), founded in 1842, now a rather exclusive retreat for the well-to-do known as a centre of the arts. It owes this reputation mainly to the millionaire circus owner John Ringling and his wife, who established here not only a circus museum but an important art museum and a
theatre. The Ringling Museum of Art possesses major works by Cranach, Rubens, Van Dyck and many other European artists. The Theatre, a faithful reproduction of the Baroque theatre in the Italian town of Asolo, is the home of a successful drama company. The Ringlings' winter residence (1926) is in the form of a Venetian Renaissance palazzo. Other sights in Sarasota are Belim's Cars and Music of Yesterday Museum (veteran and vintage cars, old musical boxes, mechanical musical instruments), the Sarasota Jungle Gardens (with flamingoes, etc.), the Mary Selby Botanical Gardens (orchids, etc.) and the Mote Science Aquarium (marine flora and fauna). There are beautiful bathing beaches on the narrow little offshore islets of St Amands, Lido, Longboat and Siesta Keys.
To the east of Sarasota is the Myakka River State Park, a still largely intact eco-system in which the original flora and fauna of the Sunshine State can be studied.
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