Visit Ozeaneum
Under the Sea
This rendering shows how renowned Benisch architects originally envisioned a part of the Ozeaneum, with people walking beneath whales swimming above them.
Flying Giants
And this is what became of the idea: In the Ozeaneum's hall of maritime giants, life-sized replicas of whales seem to float through the air above visitors' heads.
Is That a Whale on the Ceiling?
This blue whale, for example, is 26 meters (78 feet) long. It's made of Styrofoam and was partly financed by the environmental group Greenpeace.
And the Ozeaneum Goes To...
To find an architect, the Ozeaneum held an international competition. Over 400 architects submitted plans for the building and the winner was Behnisch, Behnisch & Partner from Stuttgart. Organizers said: "The open-designed ground floor level enriches the new promenade on Harbor Island and contributes to the city's orientation towards the sea."
Stralsund's New Landmark
The Ozenaneum is Europe's largest Baltic Sea marine museum.
Toasting the Sea
German Chancellor Angela Merkel attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Ozeaneum in 2006. She also came to the official opening on Friday, July 11. It's no wonder, since Stralsund is located in her constituency.
Flat, but Big
Merkel will also be able to check out this model of a halibut. In the picture, a taxidermist is applying the finishing touches on the "animal."
Mesmerizing
Standing in front of one of the many tanks at the Ozeaneum is bound to have a soothing effect on visitors.
Behind the Scenes
From above, the tanks don't look quite as intriguing.
Synchronized Swimming
Most of the fish in the aquariums, like these codfish, are native to the Baltic Sea.