Biblioteca Tolentini Venice
House of architects
Tolentini is the abode of the faculty of architecture's (IUAV) library. It is close to the railway station, easy to reach and visit.
I have spent most of my time in this place since I arrived in Venice. Here I have passed hours studying, chatting, listening to conferences...
The edifice was built between 1599 and 1602 by monks of the Teatini's order; then, after that it was a monastery, a barracks and a shelter. In 1958 it became the library of the IUAV University.
The building has a large cloister with a beautiful pit in the middle, surrounded by a continuous arcade. All the first floor, which in the past hosted cells for monks, is now housing library rooms, while at the ground floor there is a small bar that replaces part of the old dining hall.
All outside spaces are beautiful, starting from the entrance, designed by Italian architect Carlo Scarpa.
Climbing plants cover the walls that enclose the cloister which is the perfect place to discuss projects and plan lectures as well as take a rest from studying, enjoy the sun or refresh yourself under the trees in the second courtyard. At the end of spring, the university bar's owners organize a weekly aperitif (on Wednesday) open to everybody that always has a lot of success.
Tolentini library is the place to share the everyday life of IUAV students and discover some beautiful architectural jewel out of the touristic routes.
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