Skip to main content

Palace of Pages


The mall is a necessary evil—a glorious, air-conditioned balm against the relentless Philippine heat. But sometimes, a person needs a place that’s a little more soul-nourishing than retail therapy. What if your next cool, indoor escape was packed not with disposable items, but with beautifully bound, centuries-old ideas?

Enter Libreria Palazzo Roberti in Northern Italy. This isn't just a bookstore; it’s a 17th-century sanctuary that once hosted Napoleon Bonaparte himself.


Today, this magnificent structure has been lovingly restored, trading imperial guests for literary treasures. As you step inside, you’re greeted by original Venetian terrazzo floors, plaster walls that whisper centuries of history, and the gentle, stylish glow of elegant Louis Poulsen lamps illuminating rows upon rows of Italian and international titles.

Run by the Manfrotto family since 1998, this three-story cultural powerhouse is pure la dolce vita for book lovers. You don’t just shop here; you wander through frescoed halls and up sweeping staircases. More than just an extensive collection, the palace is a lively cultural hub, hosting everything from author talks and lectures to concerts and art exhibitions. Palazzo Roberti isn't simply where you buy a new read; it’s where you fully immerse yourself in a timeless, utterly elegant gathering place.



Seriously, if you're anywhere in the Veneto region, do yourself a favor and stop by. You won't regret it.

WATCH: 

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Gilbert Legrand turns mundane stuff into delightful characters

Gilbert Legrand doesn't see the world like the rest of us. You see a scrubbing brush, he sees an Apache chief. You see a a pair of scissors, he sees smooching lovers. The French artist's imagination is so wild and unrestricted that he can turn the most ordinary objects into unexpected sources of delight. I just spent half an hour lurking on his website, and you should, too.

Dealing with Job Rejection

Rejection takes many forms: The varsity team, Tinder, the credit card, the university, the girl next door, Google AdSense, the job. Growing up, I never wanted to be a journalist. I wanted to be a pilot, or a shipmaster, like Captain Nemo. And then in my second year of college, I decided I wanted to be in public relations. After graduation, I applied to seven PR firms in Manila and got seven rejection emails. The job seemed perfect. The interviews went smooth. I was optimistic. But, they hired someone else.    Being rejected after a job application can seriously break your self confidence and morale. I was devastated when I got turned down too many times, and I became depressed, angry and quite difficult to live with. However, I realized that wallowing in misery and regret will never help. So I took a step back, analyzed my job search strategy and determined my flaws.    Have you been rejected recently? Cheer up! Just because someone says no today doesn't mean it'...

Katy Ann Gilmore is my new favorite on Instagram

Katy Ann Gilmore is a Los Angeles-based visual artist who specializes in making extraordinary illustrations on paper and large scale murals using micron and gel pens. Her elaborate line work is painstakingly methodical, layering strokes of the pen in varying directions to create amazing shapes and topography that look like they are covered with intricate mesh netting. I was wondering how many pen strokes does it take to complete just one of these drawings, so I did some research and found out that her small 5 in. by 7 in. illustrations typically take a few hours, while an 11 in. by 14 in. picture can take anywhere from 10-25 hours. "My hand does hurt a bit after marathon sessions, but never anything too crazy," she told Lisa Congdon. "I try to rest my eyes/hands/brain every once in awhile by looking away from the drawing, dropping the pen, and taking a breather." Katy received a BA in Mathematics, Art, and Spanish from Greenville College in Il...