A Dive Into Science in the Heart of Taranto

Kétos, the Euro-Mediterranean Marine and Cetacean CenterKétos, the Euro-Mediterranean Marine and Cetacean CenterJonian Dolphin Conservation in the city of Taranto, is a unicum in a national context. Kétos was established by the association for scientific research one of the seven projects supported by the CON IL SUD Foundation through the 2015 edition of the Call for Proposals “Good Returns to the Community” (Il bene torna comune) and it is Palazzo Amati, which aims at giving new life to unused assets of a historic, artistic, and cultural value in Southern Italy. The center is located in the old town, inside , one of the most renowned buildings from the 18th century, and it was vigorously selected from 220 candidate properties from all regions of South Italy.museum areaSince 2019, the rooms of this historical building host a dedicated offering tourist services, a space start-ups, a space open to social entrepreneurs, to library facing the sea, and a support and protection of the sea and its Cetaceans marine mammals.  In addition, there is a specially designed centre in , providing educational activities, scientific research,and environmental communication.scientificeducational and museum services, The project offers innovatively advanced technologiesapplied through the use ofcontemporary artistic research. The state-of-the-art touch screens and the Virtual Room (VR room), being one of the most technologically advanced VR rooms in the country, make for an unforgettable learning experience for all visitors, whether schoolchildren, tourists, or the public. Kétos dedicates its space to relevant initiatives or those with a social impact on the neighbourhood and welcomesenhance the material and immaterial cultural heritage related to the sea, the old town, and the local traditions, and further promotes any activities which . public participation in scientific researchAll of Kétos’ activities have been structured and made an integral part of a broader public science project, also known as environmental education. At the same time, the centre promotes both activities,alunique tourist experiences aimed at protecting the Ionian marine and coastal heritage, and promotes experience of dolphins to raise financial resources for research. The Association, in fact, gives domestic and international tourists a unique watching – a symbol of the city of Taranto – in their natural environment, guided by expert researchers specialized in the study of cetaceans found in the Gulf of Taranto. Researchers for a DayBefore or after coming to the Kétos center, visitors can become “