Following the attention on a large Virgin Mary statue in Poland, construction is progressing on the 'Eternal Wall of Answered Prayer' in the heart of England, set to become the largest Christian monument in the United Kingdom.

Greek American television presenter Maria Menounos spoke about her recent pilgrimage to the island of Tinos, stating it provided her with a deeper understanding of Greece's Aug. 15 celebration of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.

Hundreds of pilgrims are commemorating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, one of the most important Marian feasts, at Svatý Hostýn in Kroměřížsko throughout the weekend, attending services in the local basilica.

The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrations in Aglona, Latvia, concluded with approximately 14,000 attendees from Latvia and abroad, despite prevailing security concerns related to airspace threats.

Europe’s tallest statue of the Virgin Mary has been inaugurated in a small Polish village, becoming a new religious landmark.

In Tehran, a city dominated by minarets and Shiite Islamic tradition, the 'Maryam-e Moqaddas' metro station, translated as 'Holy Virgin Mary,' stands out as a symbol of religious respect and coexistence.

Greek politicians, including Nikos Hardalias and N. Androulakis, issued statements on August 15th, emphasizing the day as one of faith, unity, hope, solidarity, and humanity, with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs noting the Virgin Mary's timeless inspiration for Greeks.

The Dormition of the Virgin Mary is a day deeply rooted in the collective memory of our people

Lithuanian Parliament Speaker Juozas Olekas extended greetings to the people of Lithuania on Žolinė, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, wishing them renewed strength and inspiration.

This article explores the phenomenon of the Virgin Mary, a single figure in Christian faith, being known by dozens, even hundreds, of different names and epithets across Greece.

An article delves into the various, often unusual, names and epithets given to the Virgin Mary in Greek tradition, highlighting their significance and connection to major feasts and pilgrimages.

A massive statue of the Virgin Mary has been unveiled in Konotopie, Poland, sparking controversy. A Dominican priest and a historian have criticized the monument, with the priest calling it a 'monster in the middle of nowhere.'

Cyprus is bracing for a stormy holiday period, with a low-pressure system bringing hail and showers, marking a drastic change from recent heatwave conditions. The Met Office forecasts overcast skies and rain for the upcoming Assumption of the Virgin Mary holiday.

A Greek article presents a religious text or poem dedicated to the Virgin Mary, praising her with various epithets.

Aglona, Latvia, is making preparations to host tens of thousands of pilgrims and guests for the annual Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, with security measures also being arranged.

Andrea Casiraghi, son of the Princess of Monaco, appeared with a striking Virgin Mary tattoo on his chest, reminiscent of Orthodox Church iconography, sparking division within the Church.

After a successful year in Euroleague and GBL, Olympiacos coach Giorgos Bartzokas visited Tinos on Sunday for a pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary, just days before the team's preparations for the 2026/27 season begin.

A monument of the Virgin Mary, over 55 meters tall, is being erected in the Polish village of Konotopie, financed by one of Poland's wealthiest individuals, Roman Karkosik, with the aim of making it a pilgrimage magnet.

Fox News reported on the attack in Međugorje where a statue of the Virgin Mary was damaged, noting that the suspect's identity was not revealed, despite it being clear the day before.

Bosnia and Herzegovina's State Prosecutor's Office will take over the case against a Polish national suspected of vandalism at Medjugorje, specifically the desecration of the Virgin Mary statue.

A Polish man was arrested and brought in for questioning after setting fire to an altar and defacing a statue of the Virgin Mary at the Medjugorje shrine. The incident has sparked discussion about the motivations behind the vandalism.

Bosnian police have arrested a man, identified by local media as a Polish citizen, suspected of vandalizing a statue of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje with profane inscriptions in Polish and English.

Police in the West Herzegovina Canton have arrested a man suspected of vandalizing and desecrating statues of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje.

A man is suspected of setting fire to and desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary, an act described by Grlić Radman as a deep insult to believers. Authorities are investigating the incident.

An unknown man set fire to the exterior of St. James Church's altar in Medjugorje and desecrated a statue of the Virgin Mary, leaving a message in Polish stating 'I have proof!'

Mount Athos, also known as the Athonite State, is being celebrated as a profound "Symbol and Ark of Orthodoxy" for both Hellenism and the wider world. The sacred site, often referred to as the "Garden of the Virgin Mary," encompasses coenobitic and idiorrhythmic monastic structures within its defined territory.

A replica of the Virgin Mary’s House in the Philippines has become a significant pilgrimage site, attracting numerous Catholic devotees.

Construction of a statue of the Virgin Mary in Konotopie, Poland, is nearing completion, with its official opening scheduled for August 15. Tourists are already visiting the site despite the formal inauguration being a month away.

Rama Duwaji is set to host a sold-out Islamic women's retreat in Corsica, which will frame the Virgin Mary as a 'Palestinian woman' under occupation.

Mare Kandres' novel 'Bebudelsen' is described as a surreal retelling of the Virgin Mary's encounter with the angel, a swampy, summer-hot rite of passage, and a truly spectacular first release from the newly established Hyben Forlag.

Drones were used to capture detailed images of the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary in Ústí nad Labem, Czech Republic, to create a three-dimensional virtual model of the historic building.

In the Brazilian city of Carmo do Cajuru, the renovation of statues of the Virgin Mary and Jesus has sparked strong reactions. Believers were surprised by the appearance of the statues, which many felt deviated significantly from their traditional depiction.

A staircase connecting a park near the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and Mariánská Street in Česká Lípa is expected to be reopened this year after undergoing necessary reconstruction due to its poor technical condition.

Heritage conservationists and local authorities in Olomouc, Czech Republic, are investigating the construction of a paved road near the Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary on Svatý Kopeček, as it reportedly violates a protected zone.

A visit to the Museum of Ex-Voto at the Sanctuary of Senhora da Lapa is recommended to see a unique painted 'retábulo' depicting the Virgin Mary and seven figures, including a stabbed man recovering in bed.

Construction is almost finished on what will be the tallest statue of the Virgin Mary in Europe, located in the small village of Konotopie, central Poland. The statue is set to be inaugurated this summer and will surpass Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer in height.

Pope Leo XIV visited the location where Pope John Paul II was shot 45 years ago, spending several minutes in prayer and kneeling to touch the ground, dedicating his catechesis to the Virgin Mary.

A new provocative video circulating online shows an Israeli soldier desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary in southern Lebanon, following a previous incident involving a crucifix.

Pavlos, Prince of Greece, visited Messolonghi to venerate the sacred 'Axion Esti' icon of the Virgin Mary, which is currently hosted in the city.

After a two-year revitalization, the Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Frýdek-Místek, Czech Republic, has reopened to the public, including its underground crypt containing the remains of priests, nobles, and pilgrims. A bishop will bless the pilgrimage church, and a new composition written for the occasion will be performed.

The tower of the 15th-century Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Borovany, near České Budějovice, has been fitted with a new wooden dome, continuing the restoration of the cultural monument's roof structure using traditional carpentry methods.

The "Lament of the Virgin Mary" is a poignant traditional custom observed on Good Friday in Kopani, Dodoni. The simplicity of its melody and the authenticity of the emotions involved transform the event into an experience that transcends mere representation.

Serbian Orthodox Church and believers observe Blagovesti (Annunciation Day), commemorating the Archangel Gabriel's visit to the Virgin Mary, with special celebrations for women and traditional folk customs.

A church historian explains how pilgrimage sites in the Czech Republic are considered places of miracles where people pray for healing, often centered around 'cult objects' like statues or images of the Virgin Mary.

Ο Ακάθιστος Ύμνος αποτελεί ένα από τα κορυφαία κείμενα της ορθόδοξης υμνογραφίας και μια από τις πιο βαθιές εκφράσεις τιμής προς την Υπεραγία Θεοτόκο. Ακάθιστος Ύμνος: Η πιο συγκλονιστική προσευχή…

Martin Scorsese will host a special Easter episode of his Fox Nation series “The Saints” about the Virgin Mary. Titled “Mary,” the episode will premiere on the streamer on March 27.

The painting, a Pietà, depicts the dead Christ in the arms of the Virgin Mary, and it was first put up for sale in 2020 at an auction house in Genoa, when it was attributed to an unidentified 16th-century painter.

Captain Evangelos Arathymos of the Blue Star Mykonos ship honored the Virgin Mary upon the vessel's arrival in Tinos, continuing a tradition of tribute during the island's religious celebrations.

Giorgos Mylonakis and Tina Messaropoulou were among the prominent figures attending the celebration of Panagia of Tinos, reaffirming their commitment to honor the Virgin Mary. They expressed their dedication to the tradition, regardless of their location.

A newly erected, enormous statue of the Virgin Mary in Poland has been noted for its impressive size, surpassing even the famous Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro.

Stelios Ramfos shared a childhood memory of playing football on the Acropolis at a time when the Parthenon reportedly housed an icon of the Virgin Mary.

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, during the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Aglona, urged citizens to take care of themselves, support others, and protect Latvia both physically and spiritually.

The Feast of the Dormition of the Theotokos is being celebrated with reverence and large crowds of faithful filling churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary, particularly at the Holy Church of the Dormition of the Theotokos in Monastiraki, Athens.

Thousands of believers gathered at Marian shrines throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina to celebrate the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary with masses, prayers, and songs.

The Aghathon Monastery in Oiti celebrates the great feast of the Assumption of Mary (Dekapentavgoustos) every summer, honoring the Virgin Mary and Saint Bessarion amidst a vibrant display of flowers.

Thousands of pilgrims flock to Kefalonia every August to witness the legendary 'Snakes of the Virgin Mary' in Markopoulo, a unique and unexplained religious phenomenon.

Most stores in Poland will be closed on Saturday, August 15, due to the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary holiday, leading some establishments to extend opening hours on Friday for last-minute shopping.

The forestry department in Cyprus issued a red alert for forest fires on Friday, urging the public to exercise extreme caution during mass outings for the Assumption of the Virgin Mary holiday on Saturday.

A colossal 55-meter-high statue of the Virgin Mary in the small Polish village of Konotopie, though not yet inaugurated, is already generating stories of miracles and is set to become a new pilgrimage site.

The baroque pilgrimage church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Skoky, Czech Republic, stands thanks to the efforts of enthusiasts, as the original Sudeten village has long disappeared.

A 300-year-old painting of the Virgin Mary of Perpetual Help, revered in the Zlaté Hory region, has returned from restoration. It will be ceremonially welcomed this Sunday at a pilgrimage celebration in the local parish church.

Surveillance video captured a masked man smashing a Virgin Mary statue with a hammer outside St. Rita Church in Long Island City, New York.

A Virgin Mary statue belonging to the Halpin family survived the 2025 Los Angeles wildfires, becoming a powerful symbol of hope and resilience, with their viral hymn around it explored by Fox Nation.

The largest statue of the Virgin Mary in Europe is set to open in Poland, attracting tourists from around the world. The construction of the monument was reportedly financed by a billionaire.

A statue of the Virgin Mary at the Catholic pilgrimage site of Medjugorje in Bosnia was severely vandalized, causing outrage. Photos released by local media show black paint covering the face of the statue and the words 'Devil in a skirt' written on it.

A world-famous Catholic shrine was reportedly torched, and a Virgin Mary statue inside was defaced with the phrase 'Devil in a skirt'.

A suspect has been apprehended in Medjugorje following an incident where the altar of Saint James church was set on fire and a statue of the Virgin Mary was desecrated. Security cameras captured the individual pouring gasoline on the altar before igniting it.

The Catholic Marian sanctuary of Medjugorje in Bosnia has been desecrated, with reports of the church's altar being burned and statues of the Virgin Mary vandalized. The incident has sparked outrage and condemnation.

A Polish billionaire is funding the construction of a gigantic statue of the Virgin Mary. The project is expected to be a significant religious and architectural undertaking.

A replica of the House of the Virgin Mary, a significant shrine in Türkiye, has been built and is inspiring Filipino faithful, connecting them to the site where Jesus' mother is believed to have spent her final years.

A unique fresco of a smiling Virgin Mary at Gümüşler Monastery is helping to put Nigde on the map for faith tourism.

A historic bell has been returned to the tower of the Church of the Virgin Mary Consoler in Dalovice, Czech Republic, completing repairs to the tower's structure after several months of restoration.

A luxury Muslim retreat, co-hosted by Mamdani's wife, featured a controversial portrayal of the Virgin Mary as a 'Palestinian woman under occupation'.

For the third consecutive year, the Divine Liturgy on August 15th will not be held at the historic Sumela Monastery in Pontus, as Turkish authorities only grant permission for the Nine Days of the Virgin Mary.

The Ministry of Culture and Media announced that the restoration program for sacred buildings in Zagreb is nearing its conclusion with the opening of the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Brezovica, calling it one of Europe's largest restorations.

A deserving clergyman was granted the title of Honorary Citizen of Kretinga District during a solemn ceremony held at the Church of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kretinga.

Following the departure of the Virgin Mary's belt from Serbia, new religious relics are reportedly arriving, bringing a sense of anticipation and hope.

Pašalić has deemed the insults directed at citizens who worship the Virgin Mary's belt as unacceptable. He emphasized the importance of respecting religious practices and beliefs.

Construction is nearing completion on what will be the tallest statue of the Virgin Mary in Europe, located in the small village of Konotopie in central Poland, set to be inaugurated this summer and surpassing Rio de Janeiro's Christ the Redeemer.

The Holy Belt of the Virgin Mary, a significant relic of Orthodoxy, has arrived in Serbia from Vatopedi Monastery on Mount Athos for public veneration.

Israeli soldiers have been imprisoned and condemned for desecrating a statue of the Virgin Mary in Lebanon. One soldier was specifically sentenced for placing a cigarette on the statue.

According to legend, D. Afonso Henriques, who was unable to walk, was miraculously cured in a church in Cárquere after a divine intervention from the Virgin Mary.

The Catholic Church traditionally dedicates the entire month of May to honoring the Virgin Mary, reflecting on her role as mother and companion.

A priceless half-ton crystal chandelier from 1853 has returned to the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Hejnice after a challenging quarter-year renovation. Restorers meticulously cleaned all glass and metal components, removing centuries of grime.

An accident occurred at the construction site of a 55-meter-tall Virgin Mary monument in Konotopie, Kujawsko-Pomorskie Voivodeship, Poland.

Greek TV presenter Giorgos Liagas and Maria Antonas are on the island of Tinos for an Easter pilgrimage to the Virgin Mary, as revealed by Antonas's social media posts.

Devotees in Zambales and Bohol, Philippines, gathered for traditional 'Salubong' and 'Hugos' rituals on Easter Sunday, reenacting the encounter between the Risen Christ and the Virgin Mary, highlighting diverse Filipino Easter traditions.

Academy Award-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese reframes the story of Jesus through the perspective of the Virgin Mary in a new Easter special episode of 'The Saints,' highlighting her faith and sacrifice, with a new review praising its human approach to the holy woman.

Orthodox and Catholic believers celebrate Annunciation Day, commemorating the day the Virgin Mary received the news she would give birth to Jesus, with various traditions and customs.

Police in Bečej will file criminal charges against I.M. (1965) for allegedly stealing money from under an icon at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Monastery in Bačko Petrovo Selo.

Sister María De Pentecostés, a nun of the Argentine female order Servants of the Lord and the Virgin Mary of Matará, who recently traveled with a group of 14-year-olds to Italy for their confirmation in...

In 2024, the Catholic Church agreed to public worship in Medjugorje, a site where the Virgin Mary is said to have appeared. This decision allows for official pilgrimages and the promotion of messages from Medjugorje, though the Vatican noted it is not an acknowledgment of the apparitions themselves.

Poland is experiencing one of the fastest rates of de-Christianization globally, even as it hosts the largest statue of the Virgin Mary in Europe.

Angela Gerekou shared heartfelt birthday wishes for her daughter Maria, recalling that her father used to call her 'Child of the Virgin Mary.' The message conveyed deep familial affection.

Thousands of pilgrims, invited guests including Lech Wałęsa, and helicopters showering rose petals marked the solemn consecration of a nearly 56-meter-tall monument to the Virgin Mary in Konotopie, Poland.

Maximos Charakopoulos highlighted the importance of safeguarding national and religious identity during the widespread celebration of the Dormition of the Theotokos, emphasizing the Virgin Mary's role as a protective force in times of trial.

A traditional pilgrimage service will be held at the newly renovated Chapel of the Virgin Mary in Stromkovice, where a spring believed to have healing powers has emerged. The chapel's renovation was organized by the Zdravé Krkonoše association, and it is a well-known pilgrimage site with various legends.

Hundreds of worshippers from across Cyprus gathered at monasteries in the Paphos district on Saturday to celebrate the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, one of the most important dates in the Orthodox…

Watch live the procession of the Holy Icon of the Virgin Mary in Tinos

An analysis explores why the mystery of the Virgin Mary continues to captivate the world, as over 1.4 billion Catholics prepare to celebrate Assumption Day on August 15th.

Hours before Assumption Day, Yiannis Papamichail published a previously unknown 1970 photograph of Aliki Vougiouklaki with her son in Tinos, revealing a personal story behind her vow to the Virgin Mary.

Dimitra Vamvakousi spoke about the responsibility she feels for raising her child, revealing that she had dedicated her daughter to the Virgin Mary even before her birth.

A towering statue of the Virgin Mary in Konotopie, Poland, has been described as a 'monstrosity' and 'King Kong in the middle of nowhere' by a Dominican priest and a historian, sparking controversy.

Public hospitals and Ambulance Services in Cyprus are fully prepared for an increase in heat-related emergencies during the Assumption of the Virgin Mary weekend, as cases of heat exhaustion rise.

Parishioners in Uničov, Czech Republic, will celebrate the Feast of the Wax Candle by lighting a special, decades-long candle wound on a spool. This tradition, rooted in the late Middle Ages, is a thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary for saving the town.

UÇK (Kosovo Liberation Army) flags were hung on the fence of a church property in Lipljan, Kosovo, which houses 14th-century churches of Saints Flora and Lavra and the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A 55-meter concrete and steel figure of the Virgin Mary has been erected in Poland, making it the tallest statue of the Virgin Mary in Europe and the second tallest globally.

Russian forces have destroyed the 18th-century Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church, a historical architectural monument in Berislav, Kherson region, which burned down after a drone attack.

Pilgrims from the Salaspils Roman Catholic parish have begun their 10-day journey to Aglona, Latvia, where they will participate in the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

A Polish man accused of damaging or destroying religious objects, including an altar and statues of the Virgin Mary, has been brought in for questioning by the BiH Prosecutor's Office, facing a potential prison sentence of three months to five years.

A Polish man has been arrested and faces up to five years in prison for inciting religious hatred after burning an altar and defacing a statue of the Virgin Mary in Medjugorje.

Following an act of vandalism by a Pole, believers in Medjugorje are praying beside the defaced statue of the Virgin Mary, expressing unity and resolve with the message: 'We are stronger than Satan'.

The renowned pilgrimage site of Medjugorje is reeling from acts of vandalism where an unknown individual desecrated a statue of the Virgin Mary and set an altar on fire, shocking the local community and global faithful.

Bosnian-Herzegovinian police are appealing for public assistance to identify and locate a man suspected of committing acts of vandalism in Međugorje, including setting an altar on fire and defacing statues of the Virgin Mary.

A Polish billionaire is funding Europe's tallest statue of the Virgin Mary in the village of Konotopie, with residents hoping it will attract pilgrims and boost tourism.

A replica of the House of the Virgin Mary from Ephesus, opened in 2024 in Alfonso, Cavite province, Philippines, has since become a magnet for Catholic pilgrims in Asia's most populous Catholic nation.

The Summer Festival of Early Music commences in Prague with a performance by the London ensemble Stile Antico, featuring a 'forbidden' composition at the Church of the Virgin Mary and Slavic Patrons at Emmaus Monastery.

Candace Owens publicly criticized Andrew Kolvet for comparing Erika Kirk to the Virgin Mary, labeling the comparison as 'blasphemous' and 'sick' during a TPUSA discussion. This incident also drew attention to Owens' net worth amid calls for her demonetization.

Details have emerged regarding what Father Vaidas Vaišvilas, the priest of the Druskininkai Blessed Virgin Mary of the Scapular parish, did with an unexpected and touching gift received from a parishioner.

The Baroque Church of the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary in Šternberk, a dominant landmark, is undergoing a nearly 70 million Czech Koruna renovation of its facade, including the main staircase and tower access.

Journalist Baya Antonopoulou shared her personal story of pregnancy, attributing it to a vow made to the Virgin Mary of Tinos after two years of trying, and revealed she has gained 25 kilos.

Hundreds of Roma from the Czech Republic and Slovakia gathered for a traditional pilgrimage to the Basilica of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary at Svatý Kopeček near Olomouc, featuring a mass accompanied by guitars, accordion, violin, and singing, along with dances and music.

While global attention is on conflicts like Gaza, Ukraine, and US-Iran, Serbia's focus is on a media conflict surrounding a religious relic, the Virgin Mary's belt, according to church claims.

The traditional Baroque in Olomouc festival will feature eight concerts and lectures, including world premieres, scenic opera, love songs, and sacred music, performed with period interpretation at the Olomouc Museum and the Church of the Virgin Mary.

The Baroque Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary in Hejnice is undergoing another challenging repair, focusing on its main towers and restoring the sundial to its original appearance, following previous storm damage.

A reportage from a trip with Czech seniors in Trnava highlights their enjoyment of the city and their reluctance to discuss politics, while noting Adela's fast talking. The story also mentions the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary of Trnava.

The Palanga Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, built approximately a century ago, is set to undergo renovations with a budget of 0.7 million euros.

Orthodox Christians are observing the Feast of the Life-Giving Spring, celebrated five days after Easter, which honors the Virgin Mary and a historic site of miracles, with several name days also marked on this day.

Kostas Varnalis' poignant poem, 'The Pains of the Virgin Mary,' is highlighted for its profound resonance with the atmosphere of Holy Week.

The television program "Mega Stories," hosted by Dora Anagnostopoulou, features a segment titled "Stories of Faith in the Garden of the Virgin Mary." This episode delves into the unseen side of the Holy Mountain, exploring its thousand-year history and tradition.

A significant discovery was made during restoration work at the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Simnas, Alytus district. A centuries-old painting was found after one of the altars was moved, with the local priest noting its historical importance.

The Ministry of Transport of Sarajevo Canton has approved traffic changes in the Ilidža area for Sunday, March 29, due to the religious gathering 'Križni put 2026' (Way of the Cross 2026). The changes were requested by the parish 'Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary' in Stup.

Annunciation Day, celebrated annually on March 25th, is one of the most important Christian Orthodox holidays, marked with a red cross in the calendar and a dispensation for fish, symbolizing the Archangel Gabriel's announcement to the Virgin Mary of Jesus' birth.

Today, Monday, March 16, according to the Feast Day calendar, the memory of Saint Christodoulos the Miracle Worker of Patmos, Saint Julian, and the Synaxis of the Virgin Mary, the Ever-Blooming Rose, is honored. Today the names celebrated are:...

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