Israeli Aquarium

Brief Information

In Jerusalem, the aquarium was created not as a showcase “about the whole sea,” but as a collection of habitats connected specifically with Israel. Its theme is defined by four aquatic environments around the country: the Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea. Therefore, what matters here is not the overall scale, but the principle of selection: the visitor sees not a random collection of marine animals, but an attempt to show which environments belong to one small country.

The aquarium was built by the Biblical Zoo, but the source text separately emphasizes that it is located next to the park and is nevertheless considered an independent attraction. This fact changes how the place is read. Before us is not simply an additional zoo pavilion, but Israel’s first aquarium, which appeared after the national biodiversity conservation plan and was conceived as a way to talk about local marine habitats.

What to Notice Right Away

The main focus of the visit is comparing different aquatic environments that, on a regular map of Israel, are perceived separately. The Sea of Galilee, the Dead Sea, the Red Sea, and the Mediterranean Sea are named in the source text as the basis of the exhibition; it makes sense to notice how each part shows not just water, but a specific habitat. This principle also explains the project’s working names: “Sea of Israel” and “Sea of Jerusalem.”

Another important detail is the connection with the Biblical Zoo. The aquarium was built by the zoo and is located next to it, but it is distinguished as a separate attraction. This helps in reading its structure: the marine fauna here is not dissolved into the general zoological theme, but placed in a separate space. As a result, the proximity to the zoo speaks not of secondary importance, but of a transition from showing animals to showing their habitats.