Maretarium
Kymenlaakso
Located on the shores of Sapokanlahti bay in Kotka, Finland, Maretarium is a public aquarium dedicated to presenting Finnish freshwater and marine fish species. Opened in 2002, it features about 60 native and permanent Finnish fish species across 22 themed aquariums, with the largest being the Baltic Sea Pool, a cylindrical basin holding approximately 500,000 liters of water and featuring a high glass wall of the maritime theater. The aquarium was developed through collaboration between the City of Kotka, the University of Helsinki, and the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute. Besides the aquariums, Maretarium offers research facilities and a nature school, as well as amenities like the Meri Café Kristina and a souvenir shop. The building itself is architecturally distinctive with a boomerang shape and was designed by architects David Newman and Mirja Tommila. The aquariums replicate various Finnish water biotopes, including lakes, rivers, and the Baltic Sea, providing visitors with an immersive experience of Finland's rich aquatic biodiversity. Seasonal phenomena such as fish spawning can be observed, and the aquarium is home to notable species like eels, which attracted international scientific interest in 2019 due to spontaneous spawning events. Maretarium offers educational and engaging experiences for visitors interested in Finnish aquatic life and conservation.
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Tip: Visit during spring and summer to witness seasonal fish spawning events such as perch and pike. Purchase tickets online in advance for discounted rates and to avoid queues. Maretarium offers reduced prices for students, children, and military personnel. Check opening hours on the official website and consider group or school bookings for an educational visit. The Baltic Sea Pool is outdoors and uncovered, so dress accordingly for weather conditions.
Interesting facts
- •Maretarium houses about 60 native Finnish fish species and approximately 1,700 individual aquatic animals.
- •The Baltic Sea Pool holds around 500,000 liters of water and is seven meters deep, reflecting the average depth of Finnish lakes.
- •In summer 2019, Maretarium's eels spontaneously spawned without hormonal treatment, a first in Europe, attracting international scientific attention.
- •The aquarium's water is sourced from a depth of five meters in Sapokanlahti bay and undergoes advanced filtration and UV treatment to maintain quality.
- •The aquarium building is boomerang-shaped and required deep steel piling foundations due to the heavy water basins.
History
Construction of Maretarium began in June 2001 and it officially opened on May Day 2002.
The aquarium was designed by architects David Newman, who specialized in aquarium design, and Mirja Tommila, who ensured compliance with Finnish building regulations.
The building's unique boomerang shape and the large Baltic Sea Pool required special foundation work including deep piling and reinforced concrete slabs to support the massive water weight.
The aquarium was established through a partnership between the City of Kotka, the University of Helsinki, and the Finnish Game and Fisheries Research Institute, reflecting a strong emphasis on research and education.
Since its opening, Maretarium has become a significant center for showcasing Finland's native aquatic species and aquatic ecosystems.
Place Guide
Baltic Sea Pool2002
The largest aquarium in Maretarium, a cylindrical basin holding about 500,000 liters of water with four viewing windows, including a high glass wall of the maritime theater. It is seven meters deep and uncovered, allowing sunlight to foster natural algae growth, supporting the aquatic food chain.
Themed Aquariums2002
Twenty-one additional aquariums represent various Finnish water biotopes such as Saimaa lake, Kymijoki river, Gulf of Finland, Central Finland lakes, Lapland water bodies, and smaller rivers and ponds. Each aquarium showcases native fish species and aquatic life typical for those habitats.
Research and Nature School Facilities2002
Spaces dedicated to scientific research and environmental education, supporting studies on native fish species and aquatic ecosystems. The nature school offers educational programs for visitors, especially school groups.
Meri Café Kristina and Souvenir Shop2002
Onsite café offering refreshments and a souvenir shop providing memorabilia related to Finnish aquatic life and Maretarium.
Contact
Phone: 040 3110330
