Parco Le Navi – Aquarium of Cattolica: dive to the bottom of the sea

The aquarium of Cattolica is located inside a beautiful building from the 1930s called Le Navi, featuring futuristic architectural details that resemble a dynamic naval fleet. 
 
The exterior of the building was rearranged to become a public park integrated to the city with access to the beaches and green areas for relaxation, play areas for children, snacks bars and restaurants, bars, theme shops, and areas for shows, exhibitions, cultural events, conferences and sporting events. 

There are educational paths inside the Aquarium of Cattolica. 
 
The Blue Path leads to discovery...
Visitors are led to discover the mysteries of the deep sea through 100 tanks and aquariums housing sharks, turtles, jellyfish, and penguins. Information panels and videos tell the evolutionary history of the planet and the evolution of certain sea creatures known as “living fossils” (the great sharks, the Nautilus, the Horseshoe Crab and the Protopterus among others) dating back about 500 million years ago and which are now in danger of becoming extinct.

A journey through space which takes visitors below the sea beds around the world, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, from the Pacific to the Indian Ocean, until reaching the colourful coral reef of the Red Sea, populated by multicoloured and magnificent organisms.

Each tank reproduces the habitat and the ideal temperature of the species that inhabit the various sea beds. Visiting the Aquarium of Cattolica is a unique experience because it also allows visitors to observe up-close animals that only experienced divers have the opportunity to see such as sponges and corals, or exotic organisms of all shapes and sizes that intrigue both adults and children. The last section is dedicated to the great sharks. Furthermore, the images and video screens show the work carried out by the biologists and aquarists of the Le Navi Park, from food preparation to the cleaning of the tanks, from taking care of the specimens present to the assistance they provide during the animals’ reproductive phase. 
 
The Yellow Path 
The Yellow Path of the Aquarium of Cattolica includes a visit to two tanks where baby Cuvier dwarf caimans from the Amazon River and cuddly otters from Asian streams live.  The natural environments of these animals have been reproduced in the tanks. 

The Purple Path
Among the many initiatives of the park, the Purple path is dedicated to the sounds of the sea. In this pavilion, visitors can hear and learn about the whispers of the sharks, the tam-tam of the mackerels, and the squeals of the orcas.    
You can also listen to a 5 minute long piece of music called “Concerto di Mare” (concert of the sea), composed by musician Andrea Centazzo and inspired by the many sounds of the sea.


The second initiative is instead dedicated to those who want to take home with them a unique experience: a face-to-face with sharks. Visitors who want to try this experience do not need to have diving skills since their bodies and heads will be protected by a special piece of equipment similar to the ones used by astronauts. The dive lasts ten minutes and provides unforgettable emotions. From the outside of the transparent tank, friends and family will be able to capture the moment and take home with them an exceptional and unique souvenir of their holidays in Cattolica.





For more information:
Piazzale delle Nazioni, 1/A – 47841 Cattolica (RN) Italy
Tel. +39 0541 8371 – Fax +39 0541 831350
info@acquariodicattolica.it – www.acquariodicattolica.it