"When it was inaugurated in 1910, the Aquarium was far from being what it is today. According to Prince Albert 1, it was to be an aquarium for research, an annex of the Museum's laboratory, much more than an aquarium for acclimatization intended for the public. As soon as it opened, however, it was very popular with visitors who always like to observe and learn."
Those few lines, extracted from one of the reports of Dr.Oxner, in charge of the Aquarium until 1944, show that, from the beginning, the Museum's Aquarium was to fulfill two functions. On one hand it would be a research tool, the way Prince Albert 1 had wanted it to be, but it also had to play an educational role for the public.
The first years in the life of the Aquarium, started in 1902 while the Museum was still under construction, indeed saw the development of scientific and educational activities. The Aquarium was enlarged and improved upon several times. Throughout its history, the Aquarium of Monaco has undergone constant changes bringing it international fame.
But throughout the years, the message has visitors the same: to pass on to visitors the knowledge and love of the underwater world so that they can be aware of the present threats this environment.
New aquaria of different sizes were created to give a true picture of aquatic ecosystems and to make visitors more aware of the biodiversity of the marine world.
The panorama of underwater life is shown through living environments accurately reconstructed in aquaria. From the coloured tropical area to the quiet charm of the Mediterranean section, the visit will provide an unique opportunity to see the grand spectacle of nature unveiled.
But it is also for the visitor, an encounter to discover an extra-ordinary universe deserving, today more than ever, protection and respect...
"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page", St. Augustine said. Here at www.travel-university.org we believe that every page must be read and explored. Travel is an avenue of learning that no text or classroom can teach. The world is a living classroom and you the student. We invite you to the www.travel-university.org library where you can read general interest and detail oriented articles.
