Gallery02 May 2015

The #Oceanographic Museum of Monaco [VIDEO-PHOTO GALLERY]

The museum promotes public awareness towards the ocean, through oceanographic collections gathered by the Prince, the permanent and temporary exhibitions, and aquariums.

Oceanographic Museum Monaco

Oceanographic Museum Monaco

In 1889, Prince Albert I of Monaco, nicknamed " navigator Prince", built the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco dedicated to the sea; with laboratories, collections (also gathered by the Prince on his explorations) and aquariums, flora and wildlife of the Mediterranean seabed.  The museum is the most imposing building on the "Rock" together with the palace of Monaco.

From the façades to the adornments in the salons, everything evokes the marine world. Since its inauguration on 29 March 1910 and with more than 6,000 m2 open to the public, it has positioned itself as an international point of reference, dedicated to Art and Science. Located 85 meters above the sea, it is an invitation to a wonderful discovery of more than 6000 specimens; a place which confronts experiences concerning the protection of the oceans, the common heritage of mankind.

The Museum offers to visitors a unique learning experience to know, love and protect the oceans, through the aquariums to the collections of Natural History, including the Shark Lagoon and the Turtle’s Island situated on the panoramic terrace.

This Temple of the Sea, conceived by a visionary Prince, is today a key element of the Monegasque identity. With more than 700,000 visitors in 2013, the Museum is one of the esteemed attractions of the Principality also engaged in the scientific, economic and touristic area.

Discovery of oceanography

The collections reflect the developement of technical processes and the wealth of scientific results obtained during the twenty-eight exploration campaigns by the Sovereign between 1885 and 1915. Are also presented several key objects as models of ships of the Prince and the life-size reproduction of a sperm whale, which led to the discovery of abyssal species through the analysis of his stomach contents.

Mark Dion envisioned the creation of the largest exhibition room of sealife curiosities. With a surface area of 180 m2, 18 metres wide and 10 metres high, it brings together part of our collection and occupies an entire wall on the first floor.

Behind the exhibition glass and centenary library furniture is a collection of skeletons and fossils, models, diving equipment and precious books, all arranged in an orderly fashion. Nature is represented on the left, with culture and human intervention on the right. Amongst the major parts of this exhibition are a naturalised white bear originating from the west coast of Greenland, and Klingert’s diving gear used in 1797, which allowed its inventor to remain at a depth of 12 metres for several minutes.

The museum’s aquarium is involved in conservation and reproduction.

Hundreds of fish in the ponds have been born and grown in reserves. During the visit, you can discover young seahorses, shoals of young clownfish and rock salmon eggs. By looking through into the capsules deposited by these sharks of the Mediterranean, the  observers will be able to guess the embryos at different stages of development.

The aquarium is also a precious tool when it comes to preserving an endangered species. Under threat due to overfishing, the apogon of the Banggaï islands, endemic of the Indonesian archipelago of the same name, is used for reproduction within an international programme.

Opening times
The museum is open daily (except for the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend and Christmas) February | January | February 10.00 a.m. - 18.00 p.m. April | May | June 10.00 a.m.- 19.00 p.m. July | August 09:30 a.m.- 20:00 p.m.  September 10.00 a.m.- 19.00 p.m. October | November | December 10.00 a.m.- 18.00 p.m.
Prices
Your ticket will give you access to our entire listing:
► aquariums, permanent and temporary exhibitions.
Adults € 14.00
Children 4 to 12 years € 7.00
Youth / Students (13-18 years) 10,00 €
persons with physical disabilities (adults and children) € 7.00
Children under 4 years free
►Group Tickets: Palace & Museum (April 2014)
Adult € 19.00
students and adolescents (13-18 years) € 11.00
Children (8 à 12 years) € 9.00
Children (4 à 7 years) 7.00 €
During the holidays: additional € 5 per child activity: tactile pool
Payment:
cash, checks, credit cards, traveler's checks. Group rates (minimum 20 people) and ticket sales (distance selling) on ​​request. Guided visits, lunches, birthday parties, private events. Only on booking. Please contact: resa@oceano.mc / + 377-93-15-36-40


[Editor note: the photos are from the Facebook site of the Oceanographic Museum Monaco[

Next week more about this subject.

 

Source:http://www.oceano.mc/fr

Judit Neuberger

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