Vasco da Gama Aquarium, one of the first aquariums in the world. The Vasco da Gama Aquarium was inaugurated on 20 May 1898, in a ceremony included in the Commemorations of the 4th Centenary of the Discovery of the Maritime Route to India. The Executive Committee of these celebrations, wishing to perpetuate the memory of such an important event, decided to build an Aquarium for recreation and popular education purposes. The construction of the building was supervised by Engineer Albert Girard, Dom Carlos I's main scientific collaborator. The construction works cost around 60 'contos de reis'. Currently, the Vasco da Gama Aquarium has five halls, about 90 aquariums and tanks, the vast oceanographic collection of the King, more than 300 live marine species and thousands more in the museum; the aquarium receives an average of 70,000 visitors per year.
The aquarium has been in the hands of the Portuguese Navy since 1901. After the death of Dom Carlos, the Oceanographic Collection was given to the Portuguese National League, which donated it in 1935, through a public deed, to the Vasco da Gama Aquarium.
AuditORIUM OF THE SEA
The Auditorium is a multipurpose space equipped to host different types of events, such as temporary exhibitions, meetings and lectures, film screenings, colloquiums, presentations, catered meals, etc...
Area: 68.25 m2 (useful)
Features: Auditorium with floating pavement, 2 light entry doors and access to the AVG terrace; - Equipped with 2 AC modules, a video projector, a wall-mounted projection screen, and a computer.
Access to light points: It has 3 lighting groups: Cove lighting; Central suspended projectors and central ceiling-mounted linear lighting fixtures.
Access to water points: No water points.
Access to toilets: For male and female visitors, as well as facilities for disabled people.
Capacity: 48 seats.