Aquarium Rubrum

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About this place

The museum is located inside the Tower of San Giacomo, also known as the Torre dei Cani, along the "Cristoforo Colombo" bastions. The creator of this unique nature museum is the craftsman Davide Simula, in collaboration with the Marine Protected Area of ​​Capo Caccia - Isola Piana and the Porto Conte Park. The Corallium Rubrum Aquarium offers visitors a unique experience of environmental education: here it is possible to learn about Corallium Rubrum, the red coral of the Mediterranean, through an innovative project which involves the survival of some live specimens in the tank, 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 was caught a long time ago, therefore, we are not carrying it into the tank, also because it comes from a depth of over 240 metres. Therefore, we don't have many indications on how to carry on a colony of black coral. Of course, we let us touch it first-hand: we don't just offer a story with a visit to the aquarium, but we also try to guarantee a sensorial experience. The Aquarium Rubrum cannot be visited only with the eyes, but also with the fingers and the sense of smell", concludes the Sardinian craftsman Davide Simula. In the past, coral was eradicated from its habitat to be transformed into artefacts and precious objects, causing irreparable damage to marine ecosystems. Today the collection of coral is strictly regulated and entrusted to expert "underwater coral collectors", 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 coral protection.