Lisbon Oceanarium, Public aquarium in Parque das Nações, Portugal
The Lisbon Oceanarium is a public aquarium on a pier in an artificial lagoon in Parque das Nações, built for Expo 98 and designed by Peter Chermayeff to resemble an aircraft carrier. Its centre is a 1,000 m², 7 m deep tank of five million litres, the Global Ocean, seen through four 49 m² acrylic windows. Four tanks around it hold North Atlantic, Antarctic, Temperate Pacific and Tropical Indian habitats, separated only by acrylic sheets.
The facility was built for the World Exposition Expo 98, which focused on oceans and sustainable development. After the exposition closed, the building remained open as a permanent aquarium and was later expanded.
The mascot Vasco, a cartoon figure named after navigator Vasco da Gama, greets visitors at the main entrance and in the bay on the Tagus in front of the building. The oceanarium runs education programmes for children, including guided visits and activities such as sleeping with sharks and Fado Miudinho.
The aquarium sits next to Oriente metro station on the red line and opens daily from ten in the morning. Ramps and elevators connect all floors so wheelchair users can reach every area.
The building rests on a platform above an artificial lagoon and mimics the form of a large ship. Architect Peter Chermayeff designed the structure so visitors perceive the water surface from multiple angles.
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