Aquarium, Marine biology Station

As Piran was throughout its history linked to the sea, there as a matter of course evolved the two institutions, which were studying the sea and the life within. These are the Marine Biology Station and Aquarium.

Marine Biology Station

The Marine Biology Station is an important scientific institution involved with the research of the sea. It was founded in the year 1969 in the framework of the Biology Institute of the University of Ljubljana. Beside the basic research the emphasis is mainly on the application research and evaluation of the impact on the marine environment. In the last years a special attention is focused on the ecological studies. As an organic part the Instrument Centre of Marine Station Piran was founded in 1995. The purpose of the centre is diffusion of knowledge and research equipment to the users. The most significant achievement is the construction of the Coastal Oceanographic Station on the Piran Punta. Today the Marine Biology Station is ranking as one of the more important marine centres in the Mediterranean. It is enlisted in the European marine research institutions grid; it exists as innermost reference for the regional programme of the United Nations on the Mediterranean; and is bearer of the Slovenian co-operation within international oceanographic committee. It managed to establish a vigorous international co-operation in the framework of the action group Alps – Adriatic, as well as in the bi-lateral programmes with France, UK, USA and with the neighbouring states of Croatia and Italy. For organised groups there is a possibility of an expert guide tour upon a preliminary agreement, as well as a dormitory for 25 persons and a lecture room.

Aquarium

Aquarium has its premises at the inner bay of the Piran port on the Kidrič Quay No. 4. It was founded in the year 1964, when the Aquarium Society of the Slovene Coast obtained the permit to restore the premises of the old Maritime and Fishery School building. It commenced with full activity only in the year 1967, when it came under the management of the Maritime High School of Portorož. In it there are several basins, which are mainly lit by artificial light, but on some nevertheless some natural light transpires through the windows. The basins comprise from 100 to 300 litres of water, while the central on the wall holds 2000 litres. The institution employs an expert diver, who is in charge of impeccable operation of the aquarium system. In the basins around 200 guests from the deeps of the submersed world can be admired; of which around 140 various kinds of sea organism. There to be acquainted with are common octopus, common snapper, sea-bream (dentex, braize), wrasse, ormer, bass, in our parts rare red mullet and many more of the sea animals. Of course there are also algae, e.g. Sargasso alga, Poseidon alga and cistosirae. In the special room there is a big floor pool, in which shark, spiny dogfish, grey mullet, bass, roach etc. are swimming. Among others there you can peruse lobster, crabs, eels, tiny sea-urchin, various kinds of sponges.

Informations:
Aquarium Piran
Kidričevo nabrežje 4
SI-6330 Piran

P: +386 (0) 5 673 25 72
P: +386 (0) 5 674 72 41
F: +386 (0) 5 674 72 42

From 1st January till 16th January: open from 9.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m.

From 17th January till 6th February: CLOSED

From 7th February till 22nd March: open from 9.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m.
 
From 23rd March till 15th June: open from 9.00 a.m. till 7. p.m.
 
From 16 June till 31 August: open from 9.00 a.m. till 10. p.m., open every day, also Monday 

From 1st September till 15th November: open from 9.00 a.m. till 7.00 p.m.
 
From 16th November till 31st December: open from 9.00 a.m. till 5.00 p.m.
 
MONDAY CLOSED