Books Around the World Archives | North of Something

On our first full day in Venice, we passed three bookstores: a used bookstore, a modern one, and Libreria Emiliana, arguably the oldest bookstore in Venice. My son was being particularly rambunctious and so I just put my nose to the glass and watched a woman carefully spreading large antique maps on the floor and putting them in a certain order.

Because he loves me, and because parenting is a team sport, my husband said, I’ll take the monster on a quick walk around the block … you go inside. They left and I took a few photos of the outside and then lost my nerve.. He peeked back around the corner and raised his eyebrows: GO!

So I went inside.

Libreria Emiliana is easily the smallest bookstore I have ever been in, but every single book, sketch, map, or photograph is an antique. The woman working there asked me what I was looking for and I mumbled something about I just really love old books and pointed to the 1970s Children’s Christmas book I had picked up at the used bookstore we had found earlier.

That is not an antique, she said. I knew that, of course, but then I just felt stupid and wanted to leave. But by then my son was pressing his nose against the glass and kicking at the door, so I pretended I didn’t know them and walked to the back of the store.

What are you looking for? She asked me again. I said that I liked poetry and I would love to take home a book by a local poet. We searched through some shelves and thumbed through the thinnest pages I have ever felt!

We found the perfect little book of poems by Lodovico Pasto, written and published in Venice in the “natural dialetto” or Venetian dialect, and printed in 1822.

The lady that helped me find the book gave me her card with her email address in case I needed any help translating it and then wrapped that book up airtight in wrapping paper and put it in the cutest bag. My first antique book purchase!

Then I gave this woman a big, awkward hug! Here are some more photos from around the bookstore.

If you love books, I would definitely recommend stopping by Libreria Emiliana while in Venice. Even if you aren’t looking to purchase an antique, there are some really neat books and maps on display.

The State Hall of the Austrian National Library (Österreichische Nationalbibliothek) was built in 1723 and is considered by many to be the most beautiful library hall in the world. Holding approximately 200,000 books, this library in the heart of Vienna is open for guests to explore. Admission is 7 Euros per person or 12,50 per family.

It was definitely a challenge bringing a curious and loud kiddo into the library hall, but he was as good as could be expected :) He knows to be quiet in libraries, so that was in our favor, but he also wanted to TOUCH everything. Luckily my husband knew how special this place was to me and basically held him the whole time so I could swing from the ladders like Belle from Beauty and the Beast. (Just kidding, that will get you kicked out.)

The gorgeous artwork on the ceiling (frescos) were painted by the court painter Daniel Gran and completed in 1730.

Most of the patrons exploring the library were a few decades older than us, but I think this incredible library is something that can be enjoyed by any age. Well, maybe if you have a wiggly or loud baby I would suggest taking turns with your partner so you both can enjoy it without glares from the security guards.

There are many illustrated tomes on display and it reminded me of the Book of Kells and other ancient texts on display at the Trinity College in Dublin. (The oldest books in this museum date back to the 4th century.) I wish I could have held them!