Acquario Romano

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Roman Aquarium
Acquario Romano
Main facade of the Acquario Romano
Acquario Romano is located in Rome
Acquario Romano
Location within Rome
General information
Coordinates41°53′53″N 12°30′09″E / 41.89792°N 12.50261°E / 41.89792; 12.50261

The Acquario Romano (Roman Aquarium) is situated in Piazza Manfredo Fanti, Rome, Italy.

Description[edit]

Designed by Ettore Bernich and built between 1885 and 1887, the building hosted an aquarium for few years. It was later used as a depot of the near Teatro dell'Opera, and sometimes as a venue for fairs and exhibitions.

A typical building of the age of king Umberto I, it has a circular plan and shows a pronaos with aediculas. Decorations with marine subject are inserted between the sculptures into the aediculas; between the caryatids are placed some medallions. The cylindrical body of the building is subdivided by lesenes and pilasters.

After a period of abandon, it was restored and used as a museum and seat for performances and concerts. It presently hosts the Casa dell'Architettura.