Unfortunately, in Venice bookshops are closing. As it is a city geared for tourism with fewer residents left every year, bookshops have a hard time. Moreover, with all the alternative ways you can get your hands on a book, people don't buy many books from small shops.
In this post I would like to write about a very peculiar bookshop that you might find while wandering the streets of Venice. It is called "Acqua Alta", like the famous periodical tides that flood the Venetian lagoon. The bookshop is located in Calle Lunga Santa Maria Formosa, near the eponymous square, Campo Santa Maria Formosa, in the sestiere of Castello.
 |
| The bookshop from outside |
This is not the kind of bookshop where you can find the last bestseller, but it has an artistic vibe. They have tons of second-hand books, collectibles, classics and everything from old maps to comic books. At the entrance you'll be greeted by the owner, who also speaks excellent French if you're interested. Books are amassed pile over pile, and occasionally a cat sleeps on top of the book you'd like to check out. This place is colourful, smelly and totally bonkers: I'm sure many of you would love it! Books are also placed on gondolas, boats and even bath tubs. Good luck finding your book in this mess!
 |
| Books in a gondola anyone? |
 |
| The funny chaos of Acqua Alta |
 |
| Books in a bathtub |
 |
| Books inside boats |
The bookshop also has a special staircase made of books. The owner will kindly remind you to check the view of the canal from there. It's my favourite part of the shop.
 |
| Stairs made of books |
There are also courtyards - this place is huge - where you can stop and read something. Nobody will be bothering you, except maybe a cat.
 |
| Children reading at Acqua Alta bookshop |
Did you like this post on quirky Venice? What are your favourite quirky places in your home town or in the city where you're based?
SO COOL! I've already fallen in love with the bookstore. Time to go to Venice...
ReplyDeleteThere's a great bookstore in LA (which is rare too!) that I wrote about earlier this summer. It's called the Last Bookstore. Ha, rather fitting.
Happy travels :)
It's worth visiting if you are in Venice and strolling around the area. Castello is a pleasant neighbourhood for a walk, very authentic. Nothing like the area around St. Mark's Square.
DeleteI am not the biggest fan of reading books as I prefer to read travel blogs and watch National Geographic movies, but this is one of the coolest places I've seen. I would definitely enjoy my cup of coffee being surrounded by hundreds of books!
ReplyDeleteI love reading, especially books that make me travel around the world. Travel blogs for me are a recent discovery!
ReplyDeleteWhat a bonkers idea, but I like it! I wonder if they actually sell many books?
ReplyDeleteThey probably don't, but as you see they have postcards to compensate, ahahah!
DeleteI think I'm in love! I will definitely be visiting this bookshop on our next trip to Venice. We do love the quieter, more authentic neighborhoods in Venice so much more than the busy, touristy areas around St. Mark's Square. The setting for this shop is fabulous, thank you so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome. Enjoy!
DeleteI love books and small bookshops and this place looks amazing! Will have to stop by!
ReplyDeleteThe Francesca's Gondola inside the library has an incredible history because was commissioned in 1885 by countes Isabella in memory of her daughter whom she unwillingly abndoned.
ReplyDelete