Le Navi Park, Aquarium of Cattolica, theme park Riviera Romagnola

Le Navi is the famous aquarium which was opened in Cattolica in 2000. It is hosted inside a beautiful building dating back to the Thirties which is situated along the city's sea front.

Designed to be used as a summer camp, it was realized by Clemente Busiri Vici, who employed futurist patterns thus giving the whole structure the aspect of a dynamic fleet. The outer part of the aquarium underwent extensive renovation works and was transformed into a public park provided with access to the beach, green oases equipped with relaxation areas, playgrounds for children, refreshment booths, bars, theme shops and special areas designed to host shows, exhibitions, congresses and both cultural and sporting events.

Attractions
The inner part of the aquarium is divided into three educational paths which give visitors the possibility to discover a wonderful seascape: they can admire over 3000 specimen which populate the numerous tanks while enjoying state-of-the-art multimedia technologies which make the tour a funny and absorbing one.

Under the supervision of skilled guides, visitors will discover the mysteries of the dephts of the sea by exploring Geopolis, the lab where experts and scientists carry out research. Both short clips and informative panels provide details concerning the evolution of our planet and of some marine species known as Living fossils (nautilus, horseshoe crabs, protopterus) which appeared 500 million years ago and are currently threatened with extinction.

An entire section is dedicated to sharks. Pictures and screens here show the work carried out by biologists while preparing food, cleaning tanks, taking care of the species and providing them assistance during the reproductive phase.

The second path includes the visit to Acquapolis, an outstanding journey through space which allows visitors to discover the marine shoal of every country in the world, from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean, from the Pacific and Indian Oceans up to the colourful reef of the Red Sea, which is populated by outstanding marine species.

Every tank reproduces the habitat and ideal temperature of the different shoal. To visit the park is an outstanding opportunity to admire animals which only expert divers can normally see, such as sponges, corals and exotic fishes which are able to catch the attention of both adults and children.

Next to Aquapolis is the pavilion dedicated to poisons, which is divided into 3 rooms dedicated to vegetal poisons, mineral poisons and animal venoms. Visitors can discover both rare and common poisonous plants. In the room dedicated to animal venoms, snakes, spiders and other dangerous specimen are hosted inside glass cases reproducing their natural habitat. The third room is dedicated to mineral poisons, such as lead, mercury and asbestos; informative brochures provide details about the sources of these poisons, together with their toxic effects.

 A special area of this section goes over the most famous deaths by poison, from Socrates to Cleopatra and Catalina la Passionaria, and displays iconographies, phials and other items which were once used to store poisons. A funny cartoon dedicated to little children explains the effects toxic substances carry out on our body.

New Attractions
Among the numerous initiatives the park promotes are two brand new attractions. A new section is dedicated to the sounds of the sea, featuring the sounds emitted by sharks, mackerels and orcas.

It is also possible to listen to the 5-minute-long “Sea Concert” composed by Andrea Centazzo making use of the numerous sounds coming from the sea.

The second attraction is dedicated to daring people looking for exciting emotions: a real face-to-face with sharks. Visitors who want to experience such a strong emotion are not required to be expert divers, since both head and body will be protected by means of special equipments which are similar to those used by astronauts. The dive lasts ten minutes and is able to give people unforgettable sensations. Both family members and friends can take photos from the outside of the transparent tank to remind their outstanding holiday in Cattolica.

For further information:
Piazzale delle Nazioni, 1/A - 47841 Cattolica (RN)
Tel. 0541 8371 - Fax 0541 831350
info@acquariodicattolica.it - www.acquariodicattolica.it