Fort Verudela is a part of the Austro-Hungarian defence system of the town Pula, which represents the culmination of European fortification architecture of 19th century. Verudela is a coastal fortress, and it is one of 55 defensive structures, which were used to defend Pula against enemies from the sea. It is situated at an altitude of 31 meters and was built and furnished from 1881 to 1886 using a traditional technique with stone blocks. The arches are built from brick and reinforced concrete, and the trench was hollowed out of solid rock. At the same time the battery San Giovanni was built nearby, with which the fortress Verudela made a unique defensive compound.
In April of 2002. fort Verudela was named a cultural asset by the Expert Committee, while in December 2008. by the Law on the Protection and Preservation of Cultural Property, Fort Verudela entered in the register of protected cultural monuments of Croatia.
Transforming the fortress into the aquarium has been in progress since 2002. The installation has been set in about 60 pools on the ground floor, the trench, and the first floor of the fortress.
Content:
- Fortress with preserved rooms, tunnels, and trench
- Plant and animal life of the Adriatic
- Protected and endemic sea organisms
- Poisonous sea organisms
- Tropical saltwater and freshwater fish
- Fish from European rivers and lakes
- Shelter for red-eared slider turtles
- Marine turtle rescue centre
- „The sea microcosmos“ exhibition
- The exhibition of photographs with fortesses from Pula
- The exhibition of works from the International fortification architecture workshops
- Projection of short educational movie“Posedonia oceanica“ ; marine theater
- Sea chemistry and biology practicums
- K.u.K canteen
- Summer terrace: caffe bar and grill
- Exhibition "Evolution" –NEW!-
- Roof: Belvedere - NEW!-
Aquarium website