Acquario del Lago di Bolsena

The Territorial Museum of Lake Bolsena includes an aquarium presenting freshwater species from the lake and connected habitats. Its tanks are arranged to show a sequence from spring and wetland environments to the open lake and river mouth.

Why it matters

Opened in May 2011, the aquarium was designed and built by the Province of Viterbo to present the biodiversity of Lake Bolsena, including fish and smaller invertebrates.

What to notice

The displays present habitats including a spring, swamp, open lake and river mouth. Species represented include carp, pike and sturgeon, river crayfish, amphibians, algae and daphnia, illustrating relationships across the freshwater food chain.

Context and history

The aquarium opened as a facility of the Museo Territoriale del Lago di Bolsena, established in 2001 in Rocca Monaldeschi. The museum interprets the human history of the lake basin; the aquarium complements that account with its freshwater ecology.