Description of the attraction
One of the most interesting and visited attractions in Rhodes is the Aquarium, located in the capital of the island of the same name. It is located in the building of a research center and includes a museum.
The building of the Aquarium was built in 1934-36 to house the Institute for Biological Research. The building is made in the art deco style by the Italian architect Armando Bernabiti. In 1945, after the liberation of the islands of the Dodecanese archipelago from the Italian occupation, the center was renamed the Greek Hydrobiological Institute and transferred to the jurisdiction of the Academy of Athens. The aquarium and museum were opened in 1963 and together with the institute today belong to the National Center for Marine Research and are known as the Hydrobiological Station of Rhodes.
The aquarium is located on the basement of the building and is arranged in the form of a glass underwater cave, thus creating the feeling of being completely submerged under water. The open seawater circulation system provides excellent natural living conditions for a wide range of Mediterranean inhabitants. Here you can admire dolphins, sea turtles, clams, echinoderms, crabs, cuttlefish, rays and other inhabitants of the underwater world. Separate tanks are provided to accommodate new species for adaptation, as well as sea creatures in need of treatment and protection (often used to hospitalize sea turtles and seals from nearby waters). The aquarium museum exhibits various embalmed sea creatures, among which the most interesting are sharks, turtles, dolphins, etc. Also in the museum you will find a lot of interesting information about the underwater world.
The main purpose of the work of the Hydrobiological Station is oceanographic research, the study and conservation of endangered species, and the popularization of knowledge about the underwater depths. Various general educational programs, as well as specialized conferences, seminars and lectures are held regularly.
