Libreria Acqua Alta
A trendy second-hand bookshop that stores its books in bathtubs and gondolas to protect them from flooding. Its courtyard has a staircase made of books that visitors can climb for photos.
The bookshop sits on a canal where the San Marco and Castello districts meet. To cope with high water, the owner keeps old books in bathtubs, wooden boats and even an entire gondola, and many cats live in the shop. In the courtyard, a staircase of water-damaged old books lets visitors climb up and look out over the canal. It is a popular photo spot, and a side door opens directly onto the waterway. Entry is free, but the shop is narrow, and queues often form around midday in peak season, so it is best to go soon after it opens. It is about an 8-minute walk from St Mark's Square.
Opening hours
09:00–19:15
Nearby sights
- Santi Giovanni e Paolo
- Santa Maria dei Miracoli
- Bridge of Sighs
- St. Mark's Square & Basilica
- Doge's Palace
- St Mark's Clocktower
- St Mark's Campanile
- Fondaco dei Tedeschi