Europe Explored » aquarium https://europeexplored.com Travel through the most beautiful places in Europe Sun, 08 Sep 2013 13:36:19 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=3.6 The Giant aquarium in Hradec Králové – the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe | Czech Republic https://europeexplored.com/2011/07/12/the-giant-aquarium-in-hradec-kralove-the-largest-freshwater-aquarium-in-europe-czech-republic/ https://europeexplored.com/2011/07/12/the-giant-aquarium-in-hradec-kralove-the-largest-freshwater-aquarium-in-europe-czech-republic/#comments Tue, 12 Jul 2011 13:16:33 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=4657 The Giant aquarium in the city of Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, is located right in the heart of the city and offers to its visitors a direct contact with the tropical nature, relaxation and sport. Giant aquarium was opened already in 1998 as the first public aquarium in Central and Eastern Europe and now it […]

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The Giant aquarium in the city of Hradec Králové, Czech Republic, is located right in the heart of the city and offers to its visitors a direct contact with the tropical nature, relaxation and sport. Giant aquarium was opened already in 1998 as the first public aquarium in Central and Eastern Europe and now it is the largest freshwater aquarium in Europe.

You can see about 40 species of fish with a total number of more than 500. Enjoy a walk through an underwater tunnel and rainforest. If you are tired you can rest at Piranha Cafe – where you can freshen up while observing predatory piranhas. There is also available a family sport area with a ricochet court, sauna and gym, which offers active relaxation in privacy with your family.

In Giant Aquarium you have a unique opportunity to see tropical nature of South and Central America. In the first part of the tour, called AVE NATURA, you can see the exhibition which currently consists of a unique collection of skulls of exotic fish.

In the second part of the tour you get to the tropical rainforest, where you can learn what it means to stay in the tropics – a combination of heat and 85-90% humidity. Here you can admire the beauty of plants such as orchids, Bromelia or Tillandsia in amazing shapes and color diversity and in more than 150 species and varieties. The impression is enhanced by occasional tropical rain and artificial fog.

After passing through the forest you get to the bottom of freshwater tropical ponds with the fish community of South and Central America. Besides the fish that you can know from your home aquarium, you will find real rarities here. The most species belong to the family Cichlidae. You can see here a big, up to 90 cm long fish of the Colossoma Serrasalmidae weighing up to 23 Kg.

The total volume of the exhibition tank is 130 000 liters of water, which means the mass of 130 tons and for your idea it is a weight of about 40 elephant females. The aquarium is 5 meters long and 8 meters wide. The great view from the bottom of the pool is allowed by the tunnel of acrylic glass with a thickness of 6.5 cm, specially imported far from Japan.

Every Thursday afternoon you can see the unique fish feeding with divers in the tank.

The Giant Aquarium is open all year round (except of Mondays) from 9:00 to 18:00 and the basic admission is 120CZK (€5).


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Torre de Hércules – the oldest active lighthouse in the world | Spain https://europeexplored.com/2010/12/03/torre-de-hercules-the-oldest-active-lighthouse-in-the-world-spain/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/12/03/torre-de-hercules-the-oldest-active-lighthouse-in-the-world-spain/#comments Fri, 03 Dec 2010 09:29:55 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=2153 Torre de Hercules is an ancient Roman tower in Spain, which since its inception has served as a beacon. It is so far the oldest active lighthouse in the world. It is located in Galicia, A Coruña, about 2.5 km from the city center. Torre de Hercules was already built by the Romans in the […]

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Torre de Hercules is an ancient Roman tower in Spain, which since its inception has served as a beacon. It is so far the oldest active lighthouse in the world. It is located in Galicia, A Coruña, about 2.5 km from the city center.

Torre de Hercules was already built by the Romans in the 2nd century. As already mentioned, it is still working, which makes it a unique monument. Torre de Hercules is 68 meters high; there are 234 stairs leading to the top. The lighting ensures a group of 4 lights that flash every 20 seconds and is visible up to a distance of 39 km. Torre de Hercules and this entire site is otherwise surrounded by a series of legends.

Around the tower Torre de Hercules there is the Statue Park, an open-air museum. There are more than 15 sculptures by major artists of the 20th Century, such as Francisco Leiro or Pablo Serrano. For local residents the most important sculpture is Breogan, which is the mythological father of the population of Galicia.

Thanks to its historical significance, Torre de Hercules is registered since 2009 in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage.

Not far from tower you can also visit A Coruña, Santiago de Compostela, the Roman walls of Lugo city, Aquarium Finisterrae.


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L’ Oceanografic – the biggest dolphinarium in Europe | Valencia, Spain https://europeexplored.com/2010/05/24/l-oceanografic-largest-dolphinarium-in-europe-located-in-valencia-spain/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/05/24/l-oceanografic-largest-dolphinarium-in-europe-located-in-valencia-spain/#comments Mon, 24 May 2010 01:57:12 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=511 When it comes to visiting aquariums in Europe, the most popular and largest in the entire continent can be found in Valencia, Spain. It is here in Valencia where you will be able to experience the L’ Oceanogràfic of the City of Arts and Sciences which is said to contain a representation of the entire […]

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When it comes to visiting aquariums in Europe, the most popular and largest in the entire continent can be found in Valencia, Spain. It is here in Valencia where you will be able to experience the L’ Oceanogràfic of the City of Arts and Sciences which is said to contain a representation of the entire world’s marine ecosystem within the large complex.

There are multiple buildings that are part of the L’ Oceanogràfic of the City of Arts and Sciences. Each one of these are identified with a different type of aquatic environment. These environments include the Mediterranean, temperate, wetlands, tropical seas, Antarctica, Arctic, oceans, Islands as well as the Red Sea.

Dolphinarium L'Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain
Dolphinarium L’Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain / Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

However, perhaps the biggest and most popular attraction in the L’ Oceanogràfic is that of the Dolphinarium. There are more than 24 million liters of water in the Dolphinarium which boasts gaps of more than 10 1/2 meters. There is also an underwater restaurant where one can sit down and eat while watching tens of thousands of fish swim all around. The Dolphinarium truly is a very unique eating experience the matter how you choose to look at.

Today, there are more than 500 different species of dolphins, walruses, belugas, sea lions, penguins, seals, sharks, turtles, rays, jellyfish, sawfish, starfish, crustaceans as well as sea urchins of all different kinds. All in all, there are more than 45,000 individual animals that call the L’ Oceanogràfic their home. Furthermore the aquarium is not just home to marine life, it is also home to a number of bird species who are crucial to ensuring that the ecosystem stay as strong as it can possibly be.

Aquarium, L'Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain
Aquarium, L’Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain / Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

It was back in 2003 when the L’ Oceanogràfic of the City of Arts and Sciences first opened its doors to the public. Since that grand opening, more than 12 million people from all over the world have made their way to the aquarium in order to see the flora and fauna as well as to attend the numerous lectures and other activities that are continuously held on the campus by numerous scientific bodies from all over the world.

A lot of time and effort was put into the design and development of the L’ Oceanogràfic of the City of Arts and Sciences to ensure that its architecture was of the latest, and most popular styles; and to ensure that any barriers within the aquarium were virtually invisible. There are countless faults, underground tunnels and tanks of all sizes that can be found throughout the park. It truly is an extraordinary destination which is home to one of the largest and most exotic biodiversed ecosystems on the planet.

Bird in L'Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain
Bird in L’Oceanografic, Valencia, Spain / Photo by Claire (Europe Explored)

L’ Oceanogràfic is open all year round, opening hours depend on the season, and the basic admission is 27.90 €. For more information visit Official site of L’ Oceanogràfic

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ZOO Bojnice – oldest and most popular zoo in Slovakia https://europeexplored.com/2010/05/13/zoo-bojnice-in-slovakia/ https://europeexplored.com/2010/05/13/zoo-bojnice-in-slovakia/#comments Thu, 13 May 2010 09:09:23 +0000 Claire https://europeexplored.com/?p=171 It was back in April 1955 when the ZOO of Bojnice first opened its doors to the public. The zoo is situated on a 42 hectare property and is home to more than 373 different animal species. Currently, there are close to 2000 individual animals currently living in the ZOO of Bojnice. Located in the […]

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It was back in April 1955 when the ZOO of Bojnice first opened its doors to the public. The zoo is situated on a 42 hectare property and is home to more than 373 different animal species. Currently, there are close to 2000 individual animals currently living in the ZOO of Bojnice.

Located in the town of Bojnice, which is a well-known spot destination in Slovakia, the ZOO of Bojnice is considered to be not just the oldest zoo in the nation, but is also the most popular. Since it first opened its doors, the zoo has attracted more than 20 million visitors; which makes it the most popularly visited attractions in the region as well as in all of Slovakia.

Spread out throughout the ZOO of Bojnice there are a number of pavilions which are home to some of the more popular animals at the zoo including the monkeys, the elephants as well as the aquarium and reptile centers. There is also a children’s zoo which is located within the park, which was developed so that children visiting zoo can get up close and personal to some of the most popular animals that live in the zoo.

Located in the center of the zoo, there is a 7 metres tall observation tower which also doubles as a fun slide for children of all ages. Anyone who climbs up into the observation tower to see the surrounding zoo landscape, and slide down into a beautiful section of the ZOO of Bojnice which is filled with some of the tamest animals in the zoo.

For the most part, the ZOO of Bojnice consists of a forest, meadow as well as a natural area. Within these three distinct themed sections of the zoo, you’ll find a large variety of the different animals that call the place home. It is also important to point out, that there are several distinct locations located throughout the ZOO of Bojnice which are dedicated to its breeding programs. Matter fact, the ZOO of Bojnice currently participates in more than 25 different crucial breeding programs to help repopulate rare and endangered species.

All in all, anyone who chooses to visit the ZOO of Bojnice will definitely be glad that they did. While it only takes a day to wander through the zoo, thanks to the fact that it is also located within one of the most popular resort towns in Slovakia, you will be able to spend the rest of your vacation relaxing in some of the finest resorts that the country has to offer.

Adjacent to the ZOO there is Bojnice Fairytale Castle that you also should visit once you are in this great town.

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