Libreria Nanni

Travel

Apr 4

Via Dè Musei, 8
Bologna, Italy

Libreria Nanni reminds me of what American bookstores used to be like, only better. The staff will ask what you’re looking for, almost like you’re in a library, and then handpick a few options for you to look at. You can browse the shelves on your own, but I found it more rewarding to chat with the staff in Italian and get their recommendations.

Libreria Nanni is the oldest bookstore in Bologna. The Marchesi family opened it in 1825, then Arnaldo Nanni took it over in 1928 and added Paris-style bookstalls under the Portico della Morte. Most of the books are in Italian.

After World War II, the shop became known for its passion for rare and antique books. The staff began tracking down hard-to-find titles and reprinting classics in literature, philosophy, and science.

Today, Libreria Nanni continues to attract collectors, scholars, and curious travelers from around the world. It’s the kind of place that reminds you why people love books—not just for what they say, but for the worlds they keep alive.

Photo of the Orange Monster at the bookstore Libreria Nanni in Bologna, Italy — The Orange Monster at Libreria Nanni in Bologna, Italy

Joshua Wait

Joshua Wait studied English at UC Berkeley. He wrote his undergraduate thesis on the relationship between art and

poetry in the New York School. He received a Masters in Divinity from Princeton Theological Seminary. He has served in programs for children, youth, and college students, in an organization addressing climate change, and in the tech industry as a CTO. He currently divides his time between his family and his artistic practice.

https://www.bluerivers.org

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