The coastal city of Gijón, in Asturias, has in addition to excellent beaches and a good selection of cider bars and seafood restaurants a recently-opened wheelchair accessible aquarium.

The city of Gijón, embraced by the Cantabrian Sea (as this area in the Bay of Biscay is known) is located in the central part of the northern coastline of Spain, in Asturias.

The Aquarium ( Acuario de Gijón ), which has been opened last month, proposes visitors a tour of about 1 hour and 45 minutes, that will allow them to get to know the flora and fauna of nearly every sea in the world: the visit starts in the rivers of Asturias to continue along the Cantabrian Coast, the Cantabrian continental shelf, the open sea, the Caribbean, the cold seas -Cape Horn-, the Pacific and Indian Oceans, the Red Sea, the African-Indian Ocean, South Atlantic Ocean and the Subtropical Atlantic Ocean, ending in Asturias (a typical port). The building, occupying 4,202 square metres and boasting 67 pools, houses an audiovisual room, educational workshops, a panoramic restaurant, an observatory of marine birds -seagulls and cormorants are frequent visitors to the nearby docks- and a jetty for retrieving marine animals -cetaceans, seals and turtles- that need help due to being stranded or hurt as a result of fishing activities or other circumstances.

The premises are located at the end of the Poniente Marina and Poniente Beach, which runs along the Calle Rodriguez Sampedro (there are 3 reserved disabled parking bays close to the Aquarium, by the bus stop); all the way from there -some 700 metres- to the main entrance is one level and barrier-free, across a wide open public area. Entrance to the reception hall of the Acuario is by means of a long wide ramped access featuring hand rails on both sides. Leaflets (in several languages including English and French) can be obtained and tickets bought at the reception desk, located on the left (one height counter no less than 130cms high). There are two adapted cabins (equipped with sliding doors) inside men's and women's toilets in this level (ground or " 0" level) located in the aisle opposite to the entrance door. There is an elevator next to the shop (on the right hand side) to access the 2 nd floor where the coffee-shop and the terrace are located (one adapted toilet is next to the lift in the second floor): there are door frames (of about some 3 cms) between the inside and outside areas of the coffee shop.

Permanent exhibition starts on the ground floor, just opposite to the reception/information desk: there's a wide accessible gate. Walls and aisles resemble natural rocks and pools in this area, the aisle narrows and the firm is uneven at some points, it actually might become too steep depending on the kind of wheelchair and capabilities of the user (a wheelchair visitor could need assistance to go up and at certain turns of this rocky "path" which leads to the 1 st floor). Exhibition pools feature explanation panels (both in English and Spanish) but some are not placed at an adequate height for children, short adults or wheelchair users and the type of letter is too small. Once the upper level (first floor) is reached, the floor is a regular level one and tour is barrier-free, but mind that some areas are too dark: we'll first go through the Cantabrian Sea, then the Atlantic (where a sight of sharks from a unique perspective will be obtained), the Caribbean Sea and, rounding Cape Horn, we'll meet penguins. Descending to the permanent exhibition area on the ground floor is by means of an escalator by the side of the great shark tank (one can see sharks and turtles above one's head): there's a second lift (connecting the two exhibitions floors) if you go straight ahead instead of turning left towards the escalator (proper signs will be installed). The great tank where grey sharks, nurse sharks and green and loggerhead turtles swim is placed in the middle of the area: "disembarking" takes place in the last of the halls: a typical Cantabrian harbour and port. There are adapted toilets both on the first and second exhibition floors, though have not been signalled yet.

A documentary is permanently shown at the Audiovisual Room (ground floor, on the left, before leaving the exhibition) where wheelchairs should be placed in front of the first row as special bays have not been reserved.

Guided tours for groups (no less than 20 people) will be soon available, most probably starting on September, and should be previously booked.

The Aquarium is opening in July and August daily from 10 a.m. to midnight, and in September, daily too, from 10 am to 10 pm.

 
Admission fees:
Adults: 10 Euros (Adults over 65: 8 Euros)
Children: 5 Euros

Acuario de Gijón
Playa de Poniente. Gijón
Tel: (+34) 985 185 220
www.acuariodegijon.com

Rebecca Arce

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