An Exceptional Acqua Alta

On the night of 12 November 2019, a high tide of 187 centimetres flooded Venice, putting a severe strain on the already delicate balance between the water, the city and its inhabitants.

The Querini also suffered serious damage to its structures and to the library collection, necessitating months – years – of projects and works. We would like to reiterate our thanks to all those who supported the Fondazione: from the more than 400 volunteers and friends who were at our side in the first weeks to the 800 donors, both public and private, whose immense generosity and willingness to help allowed us to face and overcome the emergency. Almost €700,000 of donations was risen.

Most of the library material damaged in the flood has become newly available for consultation and lending: periodicals, books and part of the Miscellanee, an important and unusual collection that includes booklets, pamphlets, encomiums and short essays, printed from the mid-1800s to the present day.

It is a means of giving back to the city and the community: the best and most concrete way to express our gratitude.