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The museum is located inside the Tower of San Giacomo, also known as the Tower of Dogs, along the “Christopher Columbus” bastions. This is the first aquarium in Italy dedicated to bright red coral. The creator of this unique nature museum is the craftsman Davide Simula, in collaboration with the Capo Caccia Marine Protected Area - Isola Piana and the Porto Conte Park.
The Corallium Rubrum Aquarium offers visitors a unique environmental education experience: here it is possible to learn about the Corallium Rubrum, the red coral of the Mediterranean, through an innovative project that involves the survival in a tank of some live specimens, something unique in its kind, with various attempts made over the years. In addition to the red coral, it is possible to admire the majestic black coral plants and the unobtainable “Occinebrina Paddeui”. The museum even houses three rare specimens of black coral, “One of these is about 340 years old, bursting, very beautiful. It was taken a long time ago, so we are not carrying it on in the tank, also because it comes from a depth of more than 240 meters. So, we don't have a lot of guidance on how to keep a black coral colony going. Of course, let us touch it first hand: we not only offer a story with a visit to the aquarium, but we also try to guarantee a sensory experience. The Rubrum Aquarium is not only visited with the eyes, but also with the fingers and the sense of smell,” concludes the Sardinian craftsman Davide Simula.
In the past, coral was uprooted from its habitat to be transformed into artifacts and precious objects, causing irreparable damage to marine ecosystems. Today, the collection of coral is strictly regulated and is entrusted to “underwater coral” experts, who extract it in a sustainable way using special ice axes. This ambitious project aims to raise public awareness of the importance of marine conservation and the protection of coral.
The coral of Alghero is protected by a quality brand, “Corallium Rubrum in Alghero”, whose collective use regulations were approved by the city council in April 2016, during the Bruno administration, with the aim of protecting and valuing the red coral typical of the area.
Why it's important to visit it
An exciting 50-minute guided tour of the most precious coral habitat in the world: the “Red Coral of Alghero”. During the visit you can explore its fascinating world, observing hundred-year-old specimens of black coral, the unobtainable 'O. Paddeui', and of course the 'Corallium Rubrum' alive in the aquarium.
Davide Simula's presentation provides visitors with details about marine fauna and flora, the fragile balance of the ecosystem and the importance of coral in it. In addition, the history of fishing and coral harvesting, experienced first-hand by the craftsman, highlights how unsustainable practices have been replaced by a sustainable and regulated approach in Alghero, allowing the repopulation of this unique resource in the world.
Structure category: museum, gallery and/or collection
Content type:
Science and/or technology
Usability: Open
Province: Sassari
Common: Alghero
Macro Territorial Area: Northern Sardinia
POSTAL CODE: 07041
Address: via Cristoforo Colombo
Telephone: +39 079 979064
E-mail: aquariumrubrum@gmail.com
Information on tickets and access:
For the time being, the ticket can only be purchased at the museum. From June 1 to September 30, open every day with only one admission at 19:00; ticket office opening at 18:45.
Access mode: For a fee
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Author : Cicogna, Fabio
Author : Cicogna, Fabio
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