Genoa Aquarium Dedicates New Pavilion To Dolphins

The Acquario di Genova (Aquarium of Genoa) has a new pavilion dedicated to cetaceans – the marine mammals commonly known as whales, dolphins and porpoises. Italian Pritzker Prize-winning architect Renzo Piano’s Building Workshop studio has worked with experts to designed four tanks for the pavilion that create a hospitable environment for the cetaceans. The tanks have no corners and have windows that recreate the luminous glow of seawater. The open-air tanks contain naturally purified water that is transported from three miles offshore. The tanks house the pair of dolphins that are already at the aquarium, and more cetaceans will be added over time. A tunnel allows visitors to view the dolphins. The aquarium has also restored the Museo Nazionale dell’Antartide (National Museum of Antarctica). The museum allows the public to discover what life is like at the Italian research station in Antarctica and the continent’s most beautiful locations, thanks to videos, reconstructions and scientific finds. Interactive displays allow visitors to discover the last uncontaminated continent and follow the activity of Italian researchers in Antarctica, which is a vast natural laboratory for the study of environmental and climatic issues. The Aquarium of Genoa is the largest aquarium in Italy and second largest in Europe. It houses more than 500 different species, which represent marine life from the Mediterranean and oceans around the world.