Bookshops have always been fascinating places, rich in culture, stories and adventures that are just waiting to be experienced. Furthermore, in the digital context in which we are immersed, where everything is fast and increasingly usable immediately, getting lost among the shelves of an old bookshop becomes a fascinating journey.
The Acqua Alta bookshop in Venice can certainly be considered one of the most beautiful in the world, as well as one of the most interesting in Italy. Furthermore, if you are in Venice, it is an unusual destination that lends itself to wonderful photographs to use on social media or to keep for yourself. However, the bookshop represents a very small place, in which the books seem to occupy most of the possible spaces and it is often good to move more quickly to ensure that everyone can see these unusual shelves.
In addition to being a corner of paradise for readers, the Acqua Alta Bookshop is striking for its mainly aesthetic beauty: the gondola books, the books that form stairs and the ones in the tub are famous . Let's see together other curiosities about what is considered the most beautiful bookshop in the world.
The history of the Acqua Alta bookshop
The Acqua Alta bookshop, a true hidden gem of Venice, saw the light in 2004 through the ingenuity and creativity of Luigi Frizzo , Venetian by adoption but with roots in Vicenza. Luigi has spent his entire life traveling the world and was inspired to create this one-of-a-kind microcosm that tells the story of the lagoon city in a peculiar and fascinating way.
An extraordinary little space to say the least where an "orderly chaos" of books, strange furnishings, endless cats and obviously high water . A small corner of the world not to be missed for its evocative atmosphere.
To protect the numerous volumes from the sporadic ingress of water, the Acqua Alta bookcase adopts an original arrangement: instead of traditional shelves or shelves, the books are positioned on gondolas, canoes, boats and tubs . A distinctive element is the absence of a digital catalogue: here visitors must rely on the detailed knowledge of Luigi, the kind bookseller, who knows every inch of his fascinating kingdom of books.
In addition to being a passionate bookseller, Luigi Frizzo is also an invaluable guide for curious visitors. With a smile and a hint of pride, he shares the "goodies" of the bookshop: a suggestive staircase of books, the emergency exit overlooking the canal and even a gondola among the books . The Acqua Alta Bookshop thus becomes not just a place to buy books, but an authentic adventure to discover Venetian culture , enriched by the passion and knowledge of its founder.
How to find the Acqua Alta Bookshop
The Acqua Alta bookshop is located on Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa , near Palazzo Grimani and the Church of Santa Maria Formosa. The entrance directly overlooks the canal and for this reason the experience becomes even more evocative.
Opening hours are from 9am to 8pm every day , with no tickets required to enter, although it sometimes hosts exhibitions which may require further information from the promoting bodies. A useful tip to reach it is to cross Campo Santa Maria Formosa and enter Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, heading on the left towards a small square where the bookshop is located.
However, if you are looking for a specific book, it is a good idea to ask: the arrangement of the books is very particular and it is very difficult to sort out what is available. The Acqua Alta Bookshop is a slightly different experience compared to the usual bookshops where you can get lost for hours , it is rather a characteristic place that attracts many curious people and where you can take incisive photos. To visit this enchanted place and all the beauties of Venice it is best to think about a stay of a few days and book an apartment in a smart and intuitive way .
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