Libreria Acqua Alta, Bookshop in Castello district, Venice, Italy.
This renowned bookstore features thousands of books stored in gondolas, bathtubs, and boats to protect them from Venice's frequent flooding, creating an extraordinary literary sanctuary.
Founded in 2002 by Luigi Frizzo, the bookstore developed its distinctive flood protection methods following severe water damage, particularly after the devastating 2019 floods that exceeded 1966 levels.
The shop houses over 5,000 titles including rare antiquarian editions, Venetian art books, and literature in multiple languages, serving both collectors and casual readers from around the world.
Open daily from 09:00 to 19:15, the bookstore requires cash payments and can accommodate 2,000 to 5,000 daily visitors, with an ATM conveniently located nearby for transactions.
The famous book staircase, originally built to elevate encyclopedias above flood level, now serves as one of Venice's most photographed literary landmarks on social media platforms.
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