The next time you stop for coffee in this place in Campo Santa Maria Formosa, take a look around and recall its function many years ago.
It was used to hold bodies found during the night, in the days when it probably was not too safe to have enemies, nor to go abroad at night.
Make mine a macchiatone, per favore. Grazie, Fausto.
Hello World 
Brilliant! This has been our local most times as we usually stay nearby – and like the Cafe del Doge and the spritz that they serve. We even braved it during the freeze in February. I had always assumed that it was a workman’s hut or something to do with boat storage. I love sitting there with a book but not reading, watching the fantastic fashions walk past and guessing the nationality before you can hear what language they speak. I wish I was there now although at 7:30 am it is a bit early for a spritz!
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Hey, in Venice, it’s never too early for a spritz, it seems!
Are you counting the days until your next anniversary?
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And ps: my mother has been looking for someone else to take the blame for me for quite a lot of years, so she’ll be thrilled to have you confirm she simply came across a child someone else had “misplaced.”
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It’s all part of my public service, son!
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But it looks so pleasant these days! I never would have known. What great info!
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It was Fausto who told me about its previous life.
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And, next time, it won’t be a Mini Ice Age, with any luck, Julie. It would be lovely in mild weather, for sure.
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LOL !!! so true xx
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I may rethink going to Venice in such rigorous weather, Julie. But, still better than hot, hot, hot. xx
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Wish i’d known about the coffee shop too, next on my list !
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How do you find out all these tidbits of Venitian history?
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It helps having Venetian friends who know a lot about their city, Darlene.
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Venice by Yvonne 101…or is that 001. Another wonderful little nugget!
Also, a big thanks for the youtube link to Venice 24/7.
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Hi, OY. How are things up there in Canada?
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How many times have I wandered by this and had no idea of it’s past use? I have always admired the quirky little building though. Great post Yvonne, thanks.
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Good morning, Susie. It definitely has a personality all its own. The stories it could tell, eh?
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Yvonne, please come to Venice at the end of May – beginning of June.
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Not this year, Brian. I’ve got to wait for that visa period to click over.
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I’ve got to remember this. It’s always cool when you can sit down with students at a place like this and say “By the way…”.
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They’ll either love that, or freak out, depending on their nature, Bloke.
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Ah, I should make that my local on my trip. Love a place with a past.
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It’s not all that far from where you hope to stay, Michelle!
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I haven’t had any coffee or wine there, now I’d better go in next time.
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I ‘ve had many a glass a Vino from there, , now we know,
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