Merchants of Venice: 10 of the city’s most beautiful historic shops
Merchants of Venice: 10 of the city’s most beautiful historic shops
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From an elegant apothercary to a jewellers in a baroque salon, these stores all have atmospheric interiors and a history of exquisite craftsmanship. Cantina del Vino gia Schiavi is a 150-year-old wood-beamed cantina that sits right on the edge of a canal and is a favourite stop on all the city bacaro tours. It is renowned for prosecco, spritz and an original selection of cichetti nibbles created by owner Alessandra De Respinis, a big inspiration for the late Russell Norman’s Polpo in London. But the faithful local clientele at Al Bottegon, as the bar is known, come because it is one of Venice’s few specialist wine cellars, as Alessandra’s sons, Tommaso and Paolo, have amassed an unparalleled selection from vineyards in the surrounding Veneto and Friuli regions, alongside rare vintages from across Italy. It is also the place to come if you are looking to take home a bottle of quality grappa.
![[Gianni Basso, traditional typography]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/22ac5dbe01848478489154215b14a4c09bcac077/0_225_4256_2553/master/4256.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Fondamenta Nani, 992. Calle del Fumo is a bustling alleyway leading to Fondamente Nove, where boats depart for the islands of the lagoon. But a steady stream of visitors also come specifically to visit the narrow brick-walled Antica Stamperia Gianni Basso – a printing workshop, showroom and museum. The printing trade has been associated with Venice for centuries, and since 1981 Basso has been producing exquisite bespoke stationery – writing paper, bookmarks, business cards and invitations – using ancient hand-operated presses and a collection of metal typefaces, copper plates and woodblock stamps. Although the cards of movie stars, musicians, poets and royalty are displayed on the stamperia’s walls, everyone is welcomed equally by this genial printer known as the Gutenberg of Venice. Not surprisingly, there is no website or email, ensuring clients must either visit in person or send snail mail to order by post.
![[Farmacia Santa Fosca]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c4e4a0a48b500af0e77b833a776fd2940f94ddd7/0_392_5336_3202/master/5336.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
