Cattolica Acquario

City: Cattolica
Country: Italy
Region: Emilia–Romagna
Opend 2000

Species 400

The impressive building designed in 1934 by architect Clemente Busiri-Vici draws inspiration from futurist ideas and symbolist concepts. "Le Navi" is named after the peculiar shape of the building, whose walls remind of a naval fleet, and has hosted the largest Aquarium of the Adriatic Sea since 2000. The charming itineraries (Green, Blue, Violet, Yellow) it gathers are dedicated to the sea and its delicate relationship with human beings, thus standing out as thrilling underwater journeys across the sea and its over 3,000 inhabitants belonging to 400 different species from all over the world. 

Blue Itinerary: Sharks, the most dangerous sea predators, are the undisputed protagonists: the aquarium gathers 3-metre-long grey nurse sharks, sharks from the Mediterranean and the Coral Reef, hammerhead sharks and Australian Port Jackson sharks.

Green Itinerary: The Aquarium also gives guests the possibility to visit the so-called “Esotario”, a brand new itinerary which gathers rare species of exotic animals. Snakes, insects, amphibians, geckos, turtles, lizards and iguanas are the undisputed protagonists of wonderful settings which perfectly reproduce their natural habitat.

Violet Itinerary: The sounds of sea is an outstanding journey across the sea world which helps visitors understand sea is not the silent place most people believe it is. This section, which was designed jointly by experts of bioacoustics, biologists and musicians, is the only one in Europe which gives visitors the possibility to experience a closer touch with the underwater world.

Alla conquista dei mari (The conquest of the seas)– It is a multisensory journey across the area dedicated to the history of navigation and piracy. It is an educational way to get to know the vicissitudes experienced by plenty of seamen who sailed the oceans and conquered new lands. An animated itinerary (Yellow Itinerary) where visitors can touch particular items, walk over the main deck of ancient ships, fire a shot from the cannons of ancient galleys and admire the reproductions of popular personalities while enjoying a unique experience which involves all of the senses.