This underwater museum turns the ocean floor into an art gallery

Sculptures are better down where it's wetter.
 By 
Cailey Rizzo
 on 
Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Installation is complete at Europe's first underwater museum, due to open later this month.

The Museo Atlantico under the waves off Lanzarote, in Spain's Canary Islands, will be a snorkeling and diving destination featuring 400 pieces by artist Jason deCaires Taylor.


You May Also Like

The artist specializes in underwater sculpture, often focusing on environmental and conservational themes in his work.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Among the installation in Lanzarote are a hybrid cactus-man, a depiction of the Syrian refugee crisis and an underground botanical garden.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The sculptures, which are built from pH-neutral marine cement, are meant to attract marine life. Over time, the sculptures are expected to evolve into artificial reefs, hosting a variety of coral, algae and fish.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

At 45 feet below the surface, the work will be accessible to snorkelers and divers starting Feb. 25.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

The project, funded by the Council of Lanzarote, is meant to increase sustainable tourism to the island.

Original image replaced with Mashable logo
Original image has been replaced. Credit: Mashable

Last year, Taylor's work opened an underwater museum in Cancún, Mexico and warned of climate change in the Thames in London.

Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.


Mashable Image
Cailey Rizzo

Cailey studied journalism at SUNY Purchase and french cinema & literature at Paris IV Sorbonne. She is a cynical optimist and Talking Heads karaoke enthusiast. Drop her a line @misscaileyanne

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 3 opening turns the Culling Game into unsettling art
A still of Yuta Okkotsu in Jujutsu Kaisen Season 3

'Admin night' is the most responsible fun you can have in 2026
A group of people on their laptops, working together

Need a new TV? The Hisense 55-inch Canvas is over $300 off Amazon.
Hisense 55-Inch Canvas TV

New Samsung TVs just dropped: Meet the new (but not) The Frame Pro and a curiously Frame Pro-like OLED TV
Samsung S95H OLED TV with purple abstract screensaver hanging on wall


Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for April 3, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

Wordle today: Answer, hints for April 3, 2026
Wordle game on a smartphone

What's new to streaming this week? (April 3, 2026)
A composite of images from film and TV streaming this week.

Google launches Gemma 4, a new open-source model: How to try it
Google Gemma

The biggest stories of the day delivered to your inbox.
These newsletters may contain advertising, deals, or affiliate links. By clicking Subscribe, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Thanks for signing up. See you at your inbox!