Sea Wonders in the Heart of Budapest
Few people expect to find a world of sharks, corals, and sea turtles right in the middle of Budapest. Yet, beneath the green domes and leafy pathways of the Budapest Zoo & Botanical Garden lies an aquatic history that’s more than a century old. As the Zoo celebrates its 160th anniversary, its marine exhibits—past and present—invite visitors to dive deep into a story that began in the early 1900s.
From the Palm House Aquarium to the Shark School
The Budapest Zoo’s connection with the sea dates back to 1912, when the first public aquarium opened beneath the Palm House. Back then, the largest saltwater tank held only about 6,000 liters—tiny compared to today’s colossal Shark School, whose main tank now holds over 750,000 liters of ocean water.
Originally, the Aquarium featured 28 tanks, both freshwater and saltwater, displaying species primarily from the Adriatic. Among its most famous residents was “Oszkár,” a hefty hawksbill sea turtle personally gifted by Fidel Castro—a detail that adds a dash of international charm to the Aquarium’s colorful history.
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A Legacy Crafted in Mosaic and Glass
The Aquarium itself is a work of art. Many of its glass and mosaic decorations were crafted by Miksa Róth, one of Hungary’s greatest masters of stained glass. Visitors who look closely can still see the original shimmering patterns alongside humble pebble mosaics created in the 1950s, which depict sea stars and other marine motifs—it’s like walking through a living time capsule of Hungarian art and craftsmanship.
Adventures Beneath the Waves
For decades, the Zoo’s marine species arrived thanks to daring collection expeditions. In the interwar years, specialists traveled to the Adriatic Sea, working with the renowned Marine Research Center in Rovinj. After World War II, the Black Sea’s coastlines became their main source, followed later by expeditions starting from Split, where Hungarian experts collaborated closely with the local Oceanographic and Fisheries Institute.
The Rebirth of the Aquarium
After extensive renovation, the Palm House Aquarium reopened in 2004. The restoration preserved its historical beauty while introducing modern tanks, including new 11,000, 20,000, and 23,000-liter aquariums. Today, the Zoo continues to expand its marine showcases. The Magic Mountain, opened in 2012, offered visitors a glimpse into ancient seas with exhibits of rays, small sharks, and horseshoe crabs. Then came the crown jewel in 2018—the Shark School—highlighting diverse shark species, giant groupers, and shoaling batfish in state-of-the-art tanks that bring the ocean’s depth to Budapest.
Dive Into History and Discovery
Walking through these halls, you’re not just meeting aquatic creatures—you’re exploring 160 years of Hungarian zoological heritage. Whether you’re a family looking for wonder, a traveler seeking hidden gems, or simply curious about how Budapest connects to the sea, the Zoo’s marine exhibitions promise a journey that’s part history, part adventure, and pure enchantment.
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