Aquariums and zoological gardens
Parco Natura Viva
The Alberto Avesani Farm was founded back in 1933 and covers 64 hectares of hills inland of Lake Garda, in Bussolengo, Verona province.A zoological park of about 24 hectares called Garda Zoo Park was conceived in 1965. Opened on June 25 1969, it hosted both indigenous and exotic animals.In 1973 a new area dedicated to African mammals and birds, the Safari Park, was added, which visitors could access in their own car.In 1978 the whole facility was expanded with the addition of new areas: the Aquaterrarium, the Tropical Greenhouse, and the Dinosaur Park, where visitors had the chance to admire life-size models of prehistoric reptiles for the first time in Italy.In 1985 a comprehensive reorganization process was started on a zoological, architectural and managerial level.