A Venice, in Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa, a very characteristic alley a stone's throw from Piazza San Marco, there is a special, extraordinary place: the Acqua Alta bookshopA magical place that smells of antiquity. A place where time seems to have stopped and a fantastic journey between books new and old, old prints, postcards, comics, poetry collections, photographs, and rare gems on the history of Venice. A marvel that BBC has classified among the 10 most beautiful bookstores in the world.
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A creative corner in the heart of Venice where, once you cross the entrance, you find yourself literally submerged by books, placed almost everywhere: on shelves and racks but also inside gondola, old canoe no longer compliant with competition regulations, disused boats e retro bathtubsThis is also a way to protect books, from the oldest to the most recent, from the high water that, at certain times, invades Venice, flooding it: hence the name of the bookshop. Thanks to this curious stratagem, as well as being an excellent example of creative recyclingThe bookshop remains open even on high tide days: just put on a pair of rubber boots and continue wandering the aisles in search of your favourite author.
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An idea, the library Acqua Alta, of its ingenious owner, Luigi Frizzo, originally from Vicenza but Venetian by adoption, who, in 2004, after traveling all over the world, decided to settle in Venice to tell its story in a special way, creating a true paradise for book lovers. A precious guide, Luigi. The bookshop doesn't have a digital catalog, and he and his trusted staff are responsible for finding the books scattered throughout the wonderful disorder that characterizes it: they know exactly where all the volumes are located.
A unique place in the world and in perfect "do not waste" style: the old encyclopedias ruined by the high water, instead of ending up in the waste paper bin, were reused as covering for the walls and to create, on the terrace, a spectacular book ladder which, step by step, allows you to look out over the canal and admire the Corte Sconta called Arcana where Hugo Pratt set the adventures of Corto Maltese.
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And what about the emergency exit: a window on 'infinite beauty of the Venetian canals Complete with a chair and armchair where you can relax and read a good book while enjoying the wonderful view. The drawing of a little man swimming under the sign "Fire exit" is a curious one.
And then there are Ziggy, Coconut, Dominique, Missipull e Tigre, five beautiful cats who wander undisturbed around the library or snooze on the books without shying away from the cuddles of tourists.
Un incredible place It's a must-see for anyone who wants to visit and experience Venice in a unique way, especially at a time when bookstores—places of culture, meeting, and sharing—continue to close, and a closing bookshop is a defeat for everyone.
Photo credit cover image: Tita.ti/Shutterstock.com
Read also:
- On the island of Alicudi, the memory of Franco Scaglia lives on in a large library between sky and sea.
- The 10 most beautiful bookstores in the world, from Venice to New York, unique and timeless places.
- In Colombia, a garbage collector with a passion for reading saved 20 books (photos and video)
- Pianissimo, the van that teaches children to love books
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