Centered "Eye" Sculpture, Orlando, Guia do visitante e o que fazer por perto

The Centered "Eye" Sculpture is a piece of public art on East Central Boulevard in downtown Orlando, a short walk from the shore of Lake Eola. It is a good place to pause on a walk through the heart of the city, with one of Orlando's best-loved parks right beside it.

The story behind it

We could not confirm the artist or the year of the sculpture itself, so look for a plaque or marker nearby if you want those details. What we can tell you about is the setting. Lake Eola sits in a sinkhole, formed when the ground here collapsed and left a deep, round basin that later filled with water. It is the centre of downtown Orlando, and the park around it has long been a gathering place for locals.

The name of the lake is a small local mystery. Stories say it was named by a member of the Summerlin family, a well-known name in early Orlando, and tales differ about the woman it honours. Nobody seems to know for sure. The lake is also known for its swans, which have become the park's signature, along with the swan-shaped paddle boats you will see on the water.

What to look for

• Step back from the sculpture and look at how it frames its surroundings, then walk around it to see how the view changes.
• Look for any plaque or marker near the piece that names the artist and gives the title.
• Walk to the edge of Lake Eola and watch the swans on the water.
• Turn around on the lakeside path for the view of the downtown skyline across the water.

Tips for your visit

• Plan 10 to 15 minutes for the sculpture itself, and add time if you want to stroll around the lake.
• It is an outdoor artwork on a public street, so you can see it from the sidewalk. Check current local notices for any events or closures in the park.
• Early morning and late afternoon are the most comfortable times in Orlando's warm climate, and the light is good for photos.
• Lake Eola Park is right next to it, so combine the two and add a walk around the water.

See it on a quest

Seeing the sculpture on a quest means you reach it on foot as one stop of a longer route through downtown. The app tells you about each place as you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. All three quests below are free of guides and fixed start times, and one ticket covers the whole group.

Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Orlando suits adults who like a mystery with their sightseeing. You walk the streets around Lake Eola at your own pace and solve a puzzle at each stop.

Kid Quest: Solve the case of the lost senses in Orlando is aimed at families with children who enjoy playing detective. It turns a stroll into a game, with a puzzle to solve at each place you reach.

Christmas Operation: Sleigh Down in Orlando gives the same walk a festive theme, so you see the sights and learn about each place while you solve puzzles along the way.