Aquadom: The World’s Largest Cylindrical Aquarium with a Lift Inside

For anyone interested in aquariums, the Aquadom in Berlin will not fail to disappoint. It boasts the title of the world’s largest cylindrical aquarium and is a top tourist attraction in the German city.

 

What Is the Aquadom?

The cylindrical aquarium is filled with around one million litres of seawater. It contains 1,500 tropical fish, and there are 56 different species. At the bottom of the aquarium are small reef-like mounds. The fish are fed by two full-time scuba divers, who can be regularly seen swimming around the aquarium in their scuba gear. It is estimated that the fish need around 8 kg of food daily. The scuba divers are also responsible for the cleaning and maintenance of the Aquadom.

 

Where Is the Aquadom?

If you want to get up close to the Aquadom, then you need to visit the Radisson Blu Hotel in Berlin. There is a spectacular glass lift system in operation at the hotel that enables visitors to experience the ascent through the aquarium. Visitors can take in the grand Aquadom from a viewing platform which is just beneath the glass roof of the hotel. From the platform, it is possible to see the sheer scale of the design, as well as both the tank itself and the hotel lobby area.

As well as the awe-inspiring views of the Aquadom and the huge atrium space, visitors can also experience the amazing changes in light that the aquarium creates at various points throughout the day.

The Aquadom is owned and operated by the Sea Life Berlin Aquarium, which is located next door to the Radisson Blu Hotel. Understandably, the Aquadom has become the main tourist attraction of the Sea Life Aquarium.

For anyone interested in staying at the Radisson Blu in Berlin and experiencing the Aquadom, expect to pay around 180 euros per night or more. It is a price worth paying to enjoy views of this unique underwater world. For those who might prefer a different vista, rooms also look out towards the city of Berlin.

As well as the hotel and the Sea Life Aquarium with the Aquadom, the complex also houses offices and a restaurant.

 

How Was the Aquadom Built?

As you might imagine, building the Aquadom was no easy challenge. The acrylic glass cylinder that forms the structure of the aquarium was made in four pieces. It was constructed on site on top of 30 feet of concrete foundations. A crane was used to lift the four individual pieces into position during the construction of the hotel. The remainder of the hotel was then built around the 25-metre-tall aquarium, making it perhaps one of the most interesting and complex hotel design constructions in the world. It is also the first aquarium and type of lift system of this kind, creating further possibilities for this type of construction in the future.

 

When Was the Aquadom Opened?

Construction of the Aquadom was completed in 2004 by an American organisation, at a cost of around 12.8 million euros.

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