Libreria Acqua Alta Other

Libreria Acqua Alta, the bookshop that stores its books in boats

The Libreria Acqua Alta occupies a few rooms and a small courtyard in the sestiere of Castello, on Calle Longa Santa Maria Formosa, a few minutes from St Mark's Square. It owes its name to the acqua alta, the high tides that regularly flood the city: because the premises are exposed to flooding, the books are stored in containers that can float.

The bookshop was opened in 2002 by Luigi Frizzo, a native of Veneto. Over the years, it has become one of the most photographed addresses in Venice, well beyond the circle of book buyers.

The interior resembles a cabinet of curiosities. Thousands of volumes are piled into a gondola, canoes, small boats, bathtubs and large waterproof bins. Cats live on the premises and are part of the scenery.

A very popular address

It is precisely this fame that limits how enjoyable the visit is. According to its manager, cited by National Geographic, the bookshop can receive between 2,000 and 5,000 people per day during busy periods, and staff limit the time spent on the staircase to keep the queue moving. Coming early in the day, or outside high season, allows you to browse the books more peacefully.

For children, the attraction lies less in the books than in the place itself: the gondola filled with books, the cats and the paper staircase make the visit a short, fun stop between two longer stops.