Nanoporous alumina membranes are easily available by controlled anodization of aluminium surfaces in aqueous acids. Their properties, such as optical transparency, temperature stability, and pores of variable widths and lengths, make them a unique material to be filled by optically or magnetically interesting elements and compounds on the nanoscale. Magnetic nanowires of Fe, Co, and Ni are formed by AC deposition from aqueous solutions. Gold colloids were generated inside the pores by growing smaller particles or by using preprepared particles. Siloxenes, gallium nitride, and cadmium sulfide have been made inside the pores from appropriate precursors resulting in photoluminescent alumina membranes.