The Donostia-San Sebastián Aquarium

The "Aquarium-Palacio del Mar de Donostia-San Sebastián" opened its doors in 1928 through an initiative of the Oceanography Society of Gipuzkoa (Sociedad de Oceanografía de Gipuzkoa, or SOG). In fact, it was the first natural science museum to be built in Spain and is the only museum in the Basque Country today dedicated to marine sciences.

The Aquarium's first milestone was achieved in 1914 when an international exhibition was held in San Sebastian. The most popular attraction at the event was the aquarium that the SOG had installed in its former headquarters. The fresh air heralded in by the new century put wind in the SOG's sails, encouraging its scientific efforts. The organization set several projects into motion, including the publication of scientific papers, the creation of a fishing school, and the production of several documentary films - one of the SOG's pioneer projects. It even developed initiatives geared toward providing financial support for fishermen and their families at a time when there was no such thing as today's subsidy programmes.

Construction of the Aquarium at the far end of the fishing port in Donostia got under way in 1925, just after the inauguration of the Paseo Nuevo seaside promenade. Three years later the emblematic building designed by Juan Carlos Guerra opened its doors to the public. Over the years 11 million people have visited the Aquarium, traditionally the city's leading tourist attraction.

Since its creation in 1908, the Oceanography Society of Gipuzkoa has promoted a number of projects which encompass much more than exhibitions of marine life. State and local agencies are now set up to meet the needs of society. However, the SOG and its Aquarium continue to gear their efforts toward education, the pursuit of science and raising the public's awareness of environmental issues.

In a context of continuous change, the Aquarium has decided to focus its daily work and its very identity on two factors: the deep-rooted relationship between the Aquarium and the Basque Country, and the commitment to embrace new challenges based on offering quality services, providing ongoing education, adapting to the benefits of new technologies, and remaining open to new ideas.

Over its 100-year history the Oceanography Society of Gipuzkoa has been based on six solid principles:

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1. Promoting tourism

Donostia-San Sebastián and Euskadi are the two regional sponsors when assessing the role of the Aquarium as an economic engine. Since its inauguration in 1928, over 10 million people have visited the Aquarium, making it one of the most popular and oldest museums in Spain.

The number of visitors per year has risen steadily since construction work was done on the museum to increase its capactiy, and in 1999 the visitor count totalled a record 570,000. The Aquarium's popularity has kept pace with the increasingly important role of the tertiary industry in the Basque Country, particularly the tourism industry; thus, the Aquarium has become one of the area's primary tourism destinations.

However, public response should not be assessed by numbers only. Feedback on the Aquarium from the public has been very positive, and although we're not about to sit around and pat ourselves on the back, this positive perception has allowed the museum to meet a very important goal.

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2. Building environmental awarenes

The Aquarium's mission covers different areas. Its daily activity combines entertainment and tourism with economic, scientific and educational aims, as a clear-cut emphasis on serving as an instrument for raising awareness on marine-related environmental issues.

Geographically, the Aquarium's focus is on the Atlantic Ocean through the ages, the contribution of Basque society to the history of fishing, the discovery of new frontiers and the conquest of the Atlantic Ocean.

The successful fulfilment of this mission calls for constant reflection, creative ideas and, most importantly, a team of qualified dedicated people who are excited about their work and know how to pass their excitement on to others. Fascination, passion, allure and magic have become part of the Aquarium's vocabulary.

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3. Developing an education project

In its new phase the Aquarium has set into motion an important education programme designed to offer a broad perspective of the sea and the underwater world. The pillars of this project are education and entertainment. We should not forget that the ultimate aim is to instil a respect and appreciation for the sea and its living creatures.

The education department, with its team of skilled professionals and first-rate educational and audiovisual resources, is in charge of introducing children of all ages to the living wonders of the sea. The Aquarium has put together special notebooks adapted to each grade level as support material for field trips.

Thousands of primary and secondary education pupils, as well as students in higher education and special education programmes, visit us every year to discover all treasures the Aquarium has to offer.

In addition, the Aquarium's definite educational and social emphasis has led to agreements being signed between government bodies, thus providing funds for school field trips and educational materials.

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4. Creating a hopeful future

In recent years the Aquarium has undergone one of its most important transformations. It has been a difficult yet stimulating phase, and one which is already history. The future is out there waiting for us with all its opportunities and challenges.

In order to define our objectives and decide which path to follow, history has provided us with the best possible advisors. Some of the world's greatest innovators have passed on to us invaluable knowledge. Names like Elcano, Echaide, Lorenzo de Ugalde, Bonaechea, Churruca, Gaztañeta... These are the people whose examples allow us to look toward the future with hope and excitement, and to have the ambition to spread the name of the SOG to all corners of the world.

The sea offers endless possibilities and the Donostia-San Sebastián Aquarium holds the key to generating knowledge and keeping the excitement of the sea alive.

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5. Inspiring an appreciation for marine life

Although oceanography research is perhaps one of the least known aspects of the Society's history, it is unquestionably one of the activities that has brought it the acclaim is enjoys today. The valuable contributions and tireless efforts of researchers and scientists have brought about the publication of the country's first oceanography bulletin, as well as pioneer meteorology studies and the creation of highly valuable museum collections. Also noteworthy was the SOG's concern with educating and providing support for seafarers with the creation of the first school of fishing.

With the implementation of government social services, the creation of research departments attached to universities and dramatic advances in technology, SOG has adapted its work to the times, contributing its best features: experience and history, plus a team of highly-skilled experts ready to meet new needs. Based on this flexibility and ability to adapt, agreements have been reached with scientific organizations, university departments and marine life research institutes. Interaction and cooperation continue to be vital in order to move forward in the knowledge society.

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6. Gizarte-politiketan sakontzea

Advocating public policy


One of the characteristics that best defines the essence of the SOG is its not-for-profit status. Our true success comes from seeing the society as a whole benefit from our cultural, economic and social activities.

The people who come to the Aquarium are from all walks of society, visiting us either individually or in pre-arranged groups. We particularly welcome disabled visitors, including the physically or mentally disadvantaged, for whom the Aquarium has designed special tours and itineraries to meet individual needs. the physically disabled, mentally disabled and blind make up an important part of our honoured visitors.

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