Libreria Acqua Alta | Literary Destinations

Among the old world romance and winding streets of Venice is a bookstore so unique it stands out from even the most charming bookstores of the world, and certainly from the handful of other bookshops in Venice. A hand-drawn sign declaring its status as “The Most Beautiful Bookshop in the World” welcoming each person who crosses the threshold, Libreria Acqua Alta is one of Venice’s most iconic destinations—among book lovers, at least. 

Luigi Frizzo, originally from Vincenza in the northeast of Italy, founded Libreria Acqua Alta in 2004 after settling in Venice for good. Translating to “Library of High Water,” Libreria Acqua Alta is the quirky, though practical, result of living in a city with canals for roads and regular seasons of flooding. Situated right on the edge of one such canal, the bookstore is especially subject to the high waters of Acqua Alta—the term meaning “high water” that refers to the high tides occurring between autumn and spring due to rising astronomical tides and seasonal winds that bolster them—and has certainly met the challenge the floods present.

Tucked into an alleyway, Libreria Acqua Alta’s charm spills out onto the cobblestones with tables of books and art prints and stands of postcards luring passersby into the bookstore. Once inside, visitors are met by a comforting, familiar sort of chaos that can only be found in the most delightfully haphazard of bookshops. While perhaps daunting at first glance, this labyrinthine bookstore, with its piles of books from floor to ceiling, invites visitors to dig through, making you work for the treasure you’ll surely find within its trove. Just as eclectic as its overall appearance is Libreria Acqua Alta’s collection of books. They offer new and used books in several languages, with a focus on books about Venice. And despite what visitors may assume, there actually is a sort of method to the madness when it comes to the organization of the books–though perhaps only Frizzo understands it. 

Outside, a side alleyway is lined with stacks of books that lead to a door marked by a wonderfully dramatic crest showcasing a lion-headed beast of sorts (is it a regular lion? some great winged beast from the depths of mythology? who can tell?) holding a book. But what makes this bookstore truly unique isn’t its charmingly eclectic, uniquely Venetian decor of mannequins dressed for an old Venetian Carnival, oars, and beaded chandeliers; it’s how Libreria Acqua Alta showcases its impressive inventory of books—on high shelves and inside waterproof bins, bathtubs, and gondolas all designed to protect the books from water when the store inevitably floods.

Hidden throughout the bookstore shoppers will find another type of unique bookstore gem: bookstore cats. Several cats can be found patrolling the labyrinth and snoozing on stacks, a friendly and sweet surprise for visitors winding their way through the maze.

Besides the obvious interest and appeal of the storage of books at Libreria Acqua Alta, another draw that keeps visitors coming back is the staircase of books out back. Before gondolas and bathtubs were the norm at the bookstore, many books (mostly old encyclopedias) were ruined from the knee-high flooding of February 2008. Unwilling to part with the water-damaged books, Libreria Acqua Alta built a staircase out of them behind the bookstore where the canal is kept at bay by a high stone wall. Visitors can climb the book staircase and get a glimpse of the canal for themselves.

Or visitors can take a look at the “fire exit”—a door that opens directly to the canal itself.

There is so much charm and magic packed into Libreria Acqua Alta’s every nook and cranny. While certainly far from an ordinary bookstore, Libreria Acqua Alta’s unorganized, slightly odd assortment of books and decor make for an experience that’s sure to be remembered. A book lover’s dream, this uniquely Venetian bookstore is a literary destination bibliophiles won’t want to miss.