Aquarium of Genoa, Public aquarium in Porto Antico, Genoa, Italy
The Aquarium of Genoa occupies a boxy building on the Porto Antico waterfront, its upper facade bright blue with a horizontal line of white crystal-like shapes and the lettering "Acquario di Genova". A dark overhanging lower level rests on thick cylindrical pillars above a paved area with pale benches. Inside, three two-level pavilions hold 70 tanks, including the Cetacean Pavilion designed by Renzo Piano and opened in 2013.
The aquarium was designed by Renzo Piano in the late 20th century for celebrations marking the Columbus anniversary and has since expanded several times. Its creation marked the beginning of the transformation of the old harbor area into a public cultural zone.
The aquarium draws its identity from the maritime heritage of Liguria, where the sea has shaped local life for centuries. Families and school groups regularly visit to watch sharks, seals and tropical fish moving through the different basins.
The tour follows a set path through the different sections, so visitors can move through the facility without much need for directions. Most corridors and viewing areas accommodate wheelchairs and strollers, though some ramps may be slightly steeper than expected.
A glass tunnel in the marine mammal pavilion lets visitors watch dolphins from an underwater perspective as they swim overhead. The large viewing window nearby extends above the waterline and shows the animals both diving and breathing at the surface.
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