Places like this seem to be far more common than we realize. How can I describe this place? Well, it’s sad and amazing, gorgeous and depressing. It’s a public aquarium located in a very residential, very rich neighbourhood of Belgrade.
You will not come across it by accident, you need to look for it. As is the case with most public institutions and museums in this part of the city of hills, rich villas and international schools. Which just makes it more interesting when you enter the aquarium, which is really not big, with three bigger rooms and a small staircase leading to an upstairs hallway.
It’s filled with things! And I say things, cause there is everything. Tanks with fishes, cages with some rodents, a few snakes, turtles and perhaps two big spiders. But then there are also on the wall a basketball hoop, two big Spongeboob and Patrick the starfish toys, two cats that roam the aquarium freely and don’t really care that you are there (you are just in their way). But what surprised me is how much the employees seem to love the place. They seemed very busy and very cheerful.
This really is a hidden gem of Belgrade and I know it needs renovation and investments but I love it the way it is.