We visited venice at chirstmas, and based on the time of year and general weather trends, we were expecting some floods. Libreria acqua alta wonderful little bookstores are scattered all over venice and libraria acqua alta bookstore of high water is one of these hidden gems. The bookstore could potentially be flooded and thats really awful for anything made out of paper. Acqua alta means high water in italian, and in venice, it is the name not only of this bookstore but of the flooding that venice experiences each year. Libreria acqua alta, a unique book store in venice. Libreria acqua alta di frizzo luigi, venice, italy.
Guarantee your entry into two of venice s star attractions on a skiptheline tour of doges palace palazzo ducale and st. Libreria acqua alta bookshop in venice stacks his books in boats to protect them from getting ruined during high tide. Libreria acqua alta, venices flooded bookstore amusing planet. Guarantee your entry into two of venices star attractions on a skiptheline tour of doges palace palazzo ducale and st. Nov 14, 2019 years of constant flooding inspired libreria acqua alta, or high water bookshop, to store its vast collection in bathtubs, waterproof bins and, notably, a fullsize gondola. Libreria acqua alta, venice this will be a room in my house some day. There are new and wellcurated shops, historic booksellers in operation since last century and secondhand stores stuffed with old, dusty books. Wandering around castello, we came across the libreria acqua alta, a bookshop whose welcome sign says that it is the most beautiful bookshop in the world. Ive always loved bookshops, but ive never fallen in love with one quite like with acqua alta. This is without doubt the most photographed bookshop in venice. The acqua alta bookshop, considered by many as the most beautiful bookstore in the world, is slowly returning to normality, five weeks after it was devastated by floods caused by venice s highest tide in more than half a century. Years of constant flooding inspired libreria acqua alta, or high water bookshop, to store its vast collection in bathtubs, waterproof bins and, notably, a fullsize gondola. We call ourselves acqua alta, we expect high water, but not this high, one of the independent bookshops coowners, diana, told the online literary publication libreriamo. A stop at libreria acqua alta in venice is a must for book lovers one of the most original libraries in the world is located in venice.
Im sure you have already come across these pictures. Libreria acqua alta venices coolest bookshop lovin. Books are piled on boats, bathtubs, and whatever can float. Libreria acqua alta, in calle lunga santa maria formosa, is definitely the only place on earth where you will find a huge selection of new and used books set out in undoubtedly special shelving. Nov 11, 2014 today it is not just one of the most famous bookshops in venice or even italy but is widely known across the world, perhaps because of its eccentric interior. It is one of the most unusual shops i have ever seen and absolutely worth a visit. Exploring the illustrious bookshops in venice, italy. Libreria acqua alta, literally bookshop of high water. Libreria acqua alta is at the edge of venices castello sestiere. The unusual decor of libreria acqua alta attracts many tourists and locals.
Generally, i dont wish for floods when im visiting a new place, but part of me was hoping for some the day we visited libreria acqua alta. The acqua alta bookshop in venice the acqua alta bookshop this bookshop is particularly rich in fact in works devoted in venice. Libreria acqua alta bookshop in venice stacks his books in boats to protect them from getting ruined during high tide books are piled on boats, bathtubs, and whatever can float. In fact, if it wasnt for a few books and postcards outside the. Libreria acqua alta is a unique secondhand bookshop with an eccentric owner. Jan 26, 2020 roughly translating to the bookshop of high water, acqua alta refers to the flooding that venice experiences each year. It is only a little shorter from the north coast of the island venice. There are many cats in the shop, they are very friendly and you can even feed them. The libreria acqua alta in venice, italy is one of the most beautiful and interesting bookshops in the world, designed to literally float during the times the city of venice floods. It doesnt look like much when you turn into the street where the bookstore is. Roughly translating to the bookshop of high water, acqua alta refers to the flooding that venice experiences each year.
The most interesting bookshop in the world libreria acqua alta. The bookshop was founded in 2004 by luigi frizzo, who was born in vicenza, but became venetian by adoption. Libreria acqua alta venezia autentica discover and. The most beautiful bookshop there is a friendly, happy ambiance about the place. Libreria acqua alta an original bookstore in venice italy. People are wading along the streets in a foot or two of water and the buildings are boarded up. Inside libreria acqua alta, venices unique bookstore. Libreria acqua alta bookshop in venice is a mix between a flea market and a serious library. As a countermeasure, the bookshop keeps books in bathtubs, boats and a gondola wherever there are chances of water getting in. Inside libreria acqua alta, venices unique bookstore our. He manages to represent venice in a very unique and authentic way, thanks to his creativity and genius. The phenomenon is often mistaken for proof that venice is.
Mar 06, 2020 with a history this rich, you can only imagine my excitement to dig into the narrow winding streets to find some treasure. You will find more than numerous books in english, including for the children there. The city is slowing sinking and may someday be completely submerged. In venice each year, the acqua alta occurs meaning that the water levels rise and in some cases, flood the streets. Apr 23, 2019 when i heard about venice, italys famed libreria acqua alta, i knew i had to see it for myself. Calle longa santa maria formosa castello 5176, 30122 venice, italy. Jan 21, 2019 the libreria acqua alta in venice, italy is one of the most beautiful and interesting bookshops in the world, designed to literally float during the times the city of venice floods. D black cat on books at libreria acqua alta in venice, italy. Acqua alta bookstore hinnosaarflickr the independent bookstores of venice are a reflection of the citys diversity and long literary history. In this bookshop you can find books about the history of venice or written in venetian dialect.
You can see the most striking attribute of the entire store a gondola in the center of the shop. Libreria acqua alta, venice every bookstore should have cats. Libreria acqua alta bookstore in venice justin plus lauren. The place is usually crowded, you find people of various age groups thumbing through books and clicking their mobiles to capture some interesting object on display in the shop. Libreria acqua alta literally translates to high water bookshop. In general, the vibe that venice exudes is a little mystical, a little magical, and a whole lot of romantic. Libreria acqua alta travel photography blog by nisa. At its worst, in 1966, acqua alta flooded the city with more than a meter of salty lagoon water. In fact, if it wasnt for a few books and postcards outside the front door, you would thing that you were in the wrong road. The libreria acqua alta translated as the high water bookshop, like.
But the libreria acqua alta is still open for business. Just think about books in a gondola, an outside staircase made of books or an open door with a fire exit sign pointing to a canal. And what an incredible bookshop it turned out to be. Feb 01, 2018 libreria acqua alta bookshop in venice stacks his books in boats to protect them from getting ruined during high tide. Libreria acqua alta bookshop in venice the most beautiful. Pictures of venice italy features some magnificent photos of venice, capturing the timeless beauty of. Jul 17, 2019 libreria acqua alta is at the edge of venices castello sestiere. Libreria acqua alta, venice i love the smell of books too kitties. Jan 02, 2014 libreria acqua alta, venice every bookstore should have cats. Venice, libreria acqua alta in 2020 visit venice, venice. An old bibliophile owns the acqua alta bookstore libreria acqua alta and he loves to chat with visitors.
The name translates to bookstore of high water due to the store being plagued by venices rising waters, which regularly flood the floors of the shop each winter. Keeping a collection of books in a city where the roads are made of water is a dangerous idea to begin with, but venice s libreria acqua alta has nothing to fear since they just keep all their. Here is your chance to win a free roundtrip ticket to bologna, italy from anywhere in the world the libreria acqua alta is the most charming bookstore ive ever visited. With a history this rich, you can only imagine my excitement to dig into the narrow winding streets to find some treasure. Furthermore, books are even turned into furniture and architecture themselves. In fact, the acqua alta bookshop in venice is home to what many would describe as an eclectic mix of old household items crammed full to the brim with books about almost anything. How this venice bookshop protects its books from flooding. Located in calle lunga santa maria formosa, in the district of castello, the libreria acqua alta will stun you for its incredibly creative book shelves. Save hours of waiting in line as you bypass queues often in advance of two hours and head straight inside the often soldout monuments.
When i heard about venice, italys famed libreria acqua alta, i knew i had to see it for myself. Libreria acqua alta in venice italy a floating bookshop. Aug 27, 2016 located in calle lunga santa maria formosa, in the district of castello, the libreria acqua alta will stun you for its incredibly creative book shelves. The place is usually crowded, you find people of various age groups thumbing through books and clicking their mobiles to capture some interesting object on. Though libreria acqua alta is less than a 10minute walk from either piazza san marco or the rialto bridge, the area immediately surrounding venices famous bookstore is actually fairly quiet. From the south you walk about 500 meters from the pier san marco s. Named and themed around the fact that venices floods are a peril to books, all of the stores stock is placed in floatable receptacles, including a. Libreria acqua alta, venices high water bookshop byrnewithme. During acqua alta high tide this part of the shop often floods and thats where the name of the shop originates. The liberia acqua alta bookshop is in the middle of venice, there is no water bus station nearby. Find the perfect acqua alta bookshop venice stock photo. The shop has not only a wide variety of books on venice.
When searching for places to visit in venice, st marks square, the doges palace and the rialto bridge are always firm favourites but what about venices hidden gems after all the city is a maze of tiny streets linked by bridges and waterways. The first sight that greets visitors is a gondola, filled to the brim with books. Famed venetian bookshop requested donations of used books not cash and was overwhelmed by donors and volunteers. Ambience is there goodnatured and acqua alta is treated here with a lot of humor. The most beautiful bookshop in the world is in venice. Acqua alta is one of the most unique bookstores in the world.
Book your tickets online for libreria acqua alta, venice. Its a definite must for book lovers who visit venice. Acqua alta, or high water, can make venice feel like atlantis. The acqua alta bookshop, considered by many as the most beautiful bookstore in the world, is slowly returning to normality, five weeks after it was devastated by floods caused by venices highest tide in more than half a century. Its a definite must for book lovers without dust allergies i might add. Keeping a collection of books in a city where the roads are made of water is a dangerous idea to begin with, but venices libreria acqua alta has nothing to fear since they just keep all their. Libreria acqua alta, venices flooded bookstore amusing. Libreria acqua alta bookstore in venice, italy next trip. The most beautiful bookshop in the world is in venice italy. I wanted to see this incredible bookshop in all its true flooded glory. Apr 20, 2017 we visited venice at chirstmas, and based on the time of year and general weather trends, we were expecting some floods. Its a definite must for book lovers who visit venice veniceitalyby steve maccurry venice, italy. Libreria acqua alta has a reputation which precedes it, since its featured in every guidebook, website, blog and article about.
The bookstore libreria acqua alta translated bookstore high water is a great sight in venice. Libreria acqua alta, which literally means library of high water, is one of the many businesses in venice that floods during acqua alta. Opened in 2004 by owner luigi frizzi, the bookshop is located near piazza s. November 19, 2019 in questi giorni laffetto e laiuto con cui ci state sostenendo ha raggiunto dimensioni incredibili. Dec 27, 20 when we came across libreria acqua alta in venice, it took us some time to decide whether or not we should buy something or if we should rather just have a look libreria acqua alta bookshop is a mix between a flea market and a serious library. Libreria acqua alta bookstore in venice unique bookstore.