Tropical Marine Aquarium of Syracuse
The Marine Aquarium in Syracuse is located right next to the Fountain of Arethusa; the entrance opens onto the “Villetta della Marina”, a public garden at the foot of the ramparts, along the seafront.
The aquarium is ideal for families with
children.
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The exhibition offers a didactic section
on the Mediterranean, which aims to document the life forms of this sea;
a section devoted to freshwater fish, both Italians and foreign (even the
infamous piranhas are there); and then a section - obviously the
most spectacular - dedicated to tropical saltwater fish, chosen
from among the most colorful, strangest and most beautiful existing.
In this way, the curators were able to
intelligently balance the cultural-educational with the "spectacular",
much to the appreciation of the children.
At the end of the museum, a glass door
opens onto the Fountain
of Arethusa, populated by white domestic ducks and teeming
with fish clearly visible in the shallow and clear water. Bring a few crumbs
of bread so that your children can amuse themselves by feeding them...
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How to reach the Marine Aquarium from
the Algilà Ortigia
Charme Hotel.
The entrance of the Aquarium opens onto
the foot of the Spanish ramparts in Largo Aretusa, a few meters from the
seashore and the Fountain of Arethusa.
With respect to the Algilà
Ortigia Charme Hotel, it is located on the opposite side of the island
of Ortigia.
Given the small size of the island, one
can be easily reach it on foot, visiting perhaps along the way Piazza
Duomo, and heading across the Hypogeum.
Those who don’t wish to or cannot walk
can take bus #20 (which makes a loop around Ortigia every 30 minutes and
is available from 7:20 a.m. to 1:30 a.m. every day) or a taxi.
The reception desk is available for information
on the availability and booking of taxis.
Visitor Information.
The aquarium is of medium size, and a
visit can be reasonably contained to half an hour, perhaps even adding
in summer a break to enjoy the coolness at the edge of the famous spring.
Hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 8 p.m.; tickets
cost 2.60 euros for adults and 1.50 euro for children. For information:
tel. (++39) 0931 449 105.
The aquarium has no architectural barriers,
being all on one floor and at street level.
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