Aquarium - Exterior
The Milanese aquarium was originally set up for the occasion of the "Esposizione Internazionale di Milano" in 1906 to celebrate the opening of the Sempione tunnel. The structure was part of the "Padiglione della Pesca" (Anglers' Pavilion). Various fishing methods, and fish-breeding systems and techniques were illustrated as well as the beauty of the sea bed. It was built as an exhibition and educational centre. The building was constructed according to the dictates of Viennese "Liberty" Art Nouveau. This small architectural jewel is the only remaining construction left from the great "Esposizione". There are numerous houses and small blocks of flats in Art Nouveau Floréal style both within and without the "cerchia dei Bastioni" (the area previously defined by the old Spanish walls). An interesting privately owned "Liberty" building is the famous Palazzo Castiglioni in Corso Venezia built in 1903 by architect Sommaruga. The Aquarium instead, represents one of the few examples of a public building designed in this kind of architectural style. When the "Esposizione" came to an end the building, which was one of the few in masonry, was saved from demolition and donated to the Comune di Milano (Municipality) on condition that it would keep the Aquarium functioning and also create a Biological and Applied Hydrobiological Station. The latter was inaugurated on the 29th March 1908. It was accomplished according to a project by architect Sebastiano Locati and decorated by the building contractor Chini, the sculptor Oreste Labò and with ceramic tiles and statues of aquatic animals by Richard Ginori. It was the second public aquarium in Italy after the Aquarium of the Zoological Station of Naples and the first in Europe to be built far from the sea.The Aquarium remained open until 1943 when it was destroyed by bombing during the Second World War. Reconstruction work to repair bomb damage lasted for twenty years but eventually it was restored to its former beauty.
A fountain with the head of a hippopotamus towering over it decorates the façade. In a niche in the upper part of the wall is a striking neo-baroque statue of a dominant Neptune, god of the sea, by the sculptor Oreste Labò from Piacenza. Under the imposing piece of sculpture is a semicircular window through which an aquarium or more likely a "terrario" or installation for breeding reptiles recreating their natural environment can be seen. A decoration in art nouveau style, showing great fantasy, embellishes the outside walls: relief style decorations with aquatic fauna by Giovanni Chini alternate with polychrome tiles manufactured by Richard Ginori ornated with very elegant floral designs. A ceramic frieze decorated with fish swimming in their natural environment runs along all the building.
This is one of the few examples of buildings where the external walls illustrate its historical and scientific contents exercising an informative and didactic function having a direct impact.
