Have you ever dived into the waters of the Gulf of Trieste, skimmed the reefs and sandy sea- bed that are teeming with life, or swum among schools of fish in the open sea…. without even getting your toes wet? Well, at BioMa this is possible!
Only a 5-minute walk from the Habsburg residence and housed in the right wing of the former stables of Miramare Castle, is the Marine Biodiversity Centre (BioMa). This is an environmental study centre designed to offer you a truly immersive experience. It is open all year round and contains all the varied environments of the Gulf of Trieste and the Miramare Marine Protected Area. From the surface of the sea down into its depths to the many sea creatures and plant species, there is everything that makes this stretch of sea a real oasis of marine biodiversity.
There are reconstructions of the submerged reef, sections of sandy and muddy sediment with their inhabitants, dioramas of sea grasslands, sunfish, bottlenose dolphins and other pelagic life-size animals. There are also immersive videos and 3D representations, floating jellyfish, col- oruful nudibranchs and acoustic showers so you can listen to the sounds of the sea. There is the spectacular phenomenon of bioluminescence in a nighttime sea tunnel and a special touch tank aquarium with benthic organisms. Everything is designed to provide visitors of all ages with a greater knowledge of marine biodiversity.
Going up the stairs leading to the first floor, a terrible plastic vortex welcomes visitors and in- troduces them to the theme of human impact on the marine environment, which is explored in on the upper floor.
The 300 square metre space, not only hosts the exhibition area, but also a spacious, well- equipped educational laboratory, a multimedia room for slide show, film, workshops and meetings. There is also an area designed for children called the ‘The Octopus’ den’, which is used as a library but also for educational activities with children from preschools and creative work- shops for families. These are created and promoted in collaboration with other institutions and organisations of the city and of the surrounding area.
