This is one of the most spectacular public aquaria displays in the world. Founded in 1899 (inaugurated in 1910) by Prince Albert I of Monaco, the museum was designed with an association of art and science for the time and is ordained throughout with beautiful works of art that depict marine creatures and symbolical figures of the marine world.Constructed of white limestone and marble the museum itself appears to have erupted out of the surrounding cliffs and almost appears to be a natural part of the rocky Mediterranean coastline, like much of Monaco. The upper floors are dedicated to the museum, lecture hall, gift shop and exhibit hall. The Aquarium itself occupies the lower levels and has a primary focus on tropical and temperate marine species, but also houses some freshwater species.