Wednesday, July 21, 2010

The Neptune Pool

The most well known (and beautiful) spaces at San Simeon are the pools. While the Roman Pool was abandoned by guests, the Neptune Pool , seen here, was the epicenter of the estate and continues to be used by staff!
My favorite shot of the pool - the shaded loggia which surrounds the pool with views of the ocean, the mountains and up the Big Sur. Can't you just see yourself here with a stack of magazines and cool drinks? In the background, notice the lights on concrete 'terms' which I discussed in my post on lanterns. I love those ionic columns!This pool was known as the temporary pool, built originally for the visit of Hearst's semi-estranged sons in 1924 who were living with his wife in NY and eventually rebuilt 3 times by 1936 into what we see today.The focus of the pool is the temple, pieced together from Hearst's extensive collection of Roman antiquities. The entire estate feels like one big jig-saw puzzle at times! The parts which were missing were simply recreated to finish off the building.
Above you see the pool filler, a bit fancier than yours at home? Another beautiful marble pool ladder.
The white marble glows blue, as you can see, due to the blue tilework. We need more blue pools like this today, so refreshing!
The ceilings of the loggia were also marble with a light fixture in each coffer.This grouping of statues depicting the birth of Venus in the corner against the hillside was not antique but rather carved in the 1930s by Italian artisans.As you can tell from the shot below, the estate is located 5 miles on the top of a huge hill from the base at the ocean (and route 1). The 'camp' of houses exists further up the hill from the pool.
I hope you enjoyed the tour of the Neptune Pool, just what we need in this record heat!

15 comments:

  1. Seriously my jaw is on the floor. You taken me away to another world on this super muggy UK summer's day. Thank you! Trunks on and ready to go...what a dream!

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  2. It is more amazing with time! My only real remberance of being on the tour was being told not to touch the marble column...it was just a little tempting but of course the staff were right....so different here in the Far East where the stone wall cravings are polished by peoples fingers..ah the differences between east and West...thanks for the memories!

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  3. Will - I am dreaming of ANY pool in this hot weather!
    Conc, yes! People are so manic here in the states about not touching everything. I think it's a bit silly personally but I see the reasoning I suppose.

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  4. Yessss!!! This is a pool. I love the birth of Venus statues and of course the Mediterranean Cypress lining the stairs.

    I'm also pretty sure I'm the only Classicist (my other college major that would have lead to devastating unwealth if pursued any further) who doesn't get bent out of shape about Hearst's "If it's not there, make it" approach to ancient art.

    And in other fabulous news, I'm going to try fitting the word "loggia" into a sentence today.

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  5. Your photos make me want to visit San Simeon right now! Thanks for sharing....

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  6. Now where is my turban and shades?
    I love the glamour of that pool.
    pve

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  7. So glad you had a great experience at San Simeon. It is like another world for sure. It looks like you were there all by yourselves!

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  8. In total best collection of photos, to give you the feel of it, which I have seen. Thanks for that.
    Yes one of those places you feel sure you could live. May be have lived even!
    Best Wishes
    Robert

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  9. This pool is to die for! I was there for the sunset tour with costumed folks smoking fake cigs and dressed to kill! It is over the top. So glad you are letting others see this masterpiece.

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  10. I always love seeing pictures of this pool and your wonderful photos do not disappoint! It just looks so inviting despite all its grandeur. The white of the architecture contrasts perfectly with the blue of the water.

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  11. on this unbelievably hot and muggy day, it looks soooooo inviting.

    Wonderful the way the colannades give a feeling of floating up in the clouds..

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  12. talk about a cement pond !
    lol

    john in nc

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  13. That pool is incredible. I don't think I have seen anything like that before. Cocktail and my shades please.

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  14. Stefan -- All it took was one look at that famous pool and I got goosebumps. Childhood memories of seeing this place! Hadn't seen a photo of it in years, and one forgets just how striking it is, especially the setting. I remember visiting it, and beforehand my Dad talking about a "castle". I had visions of some medieval German "burg", but of course the Hearsts should have named this place "palace"; "castle" doesn't begin to do the place justice, esp. the outdoor areas with the feel of Rome's Palatine Hill. And that view!
    Nice to be back at your blog -- I can see I've missed quite a bit the past several weeks!
    All the best,
    Michael

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