The oldest café in the world is in Venice - Italy| A unique experience for coffee lovers
Updated: Apr 11, 2023
The Caffè Florian in Venice is the oldest coffee place in the world and among other things, many celebrities such as Casanova, Lord Byron, Charles Dickens, Ernest Hemmingway, Charlie Chaplin, and Andy Warhol have been there.
It combines sophisticated elegance with charming historical aura. There is nothing simple nor minimalistic about Caffè Florian Venice. From golden mirrors and wall tapestries to the discreet waiters, every detail of the amazing venetian coffee is as complex and luxurious as you would expect. It is located in stunning Saint Marc’s square in Venice under the Procuratie Nuove arch.
For hundreds of years, its beautiful rooms decorated with tapestries, tables made of marble and red velvet chairs, has hosted famous artists, writers, Kings, actors and many intellectuals. Ernest Hemmingway would visit Caffè Florian in the evenings to enjoy en espresso and the sunsets. Charlie Chaplin was also a regular patron.
For centuries the richly decorated interior rooms were places to inspire many famous artists, host Kings and Queens and attract tourists fascinated by the unique Italian style. To this day Caffè Florian has preserved all its old-fashioned charm, and no visit to Venice is complete without drinking a coffee in its beautiful surroundings.
The history of Caffè Florian in Venice
It all started 302 years ago, on the 29th of December 1720, when a businessman named Floriano Francesconi, knows as ”Florian”, opened a small coffee place called “Alla Venezia Trionfante”.
Soon it was renamed “Florans” by its customers and became a meeting point for local artists such as Guardi, Canaletto και Goldoni and many more. Giacomo Casanova also frequented the establishment and was impressed that Caffè Florian was the only coffee place that allowed women!
During the riots of 1848 where a revolution re-established the Venetian Republic under Daniele Manin, the rooms were transformed into an infirmary for the wounded.
Ten years later in 1858 a restoration process took place in the historical coffee shop with magnificent results, which we enjoy to this day: 6 splendid rooms with an 18th century decoration and paintings of renowned artists such as Antonio Pascutti, Giuseppe Ponga and Cesare Rota.
We loved the charming atmosphere in the tearoom, decorated with helical statues on the walls and friezes covered with golden leaves. The Senate room has a historical and cultural value - a living room surrounded by paintings.
This complex allegory must have been an inspiration in the meetings that occurred between the former mayor of Venice, Riccardo Selvatico, and his friends. In 1893 they decided to pay a tribute to the King Umberto and his Queen Margherita that were about to come.
Discussing ideas while drinking coffee they decided to organize an international art exhibition. Two years later, Venice held the famous La Biennale di Venezia.
Breakfast at Caffè Florian
Today the Caffè Florian is a must for tourists coming to Venice. The beautifully decorated rooms and the impressive patio, still maintain the magnificence of its golden era. The big living rooms of the Caffè Florian often host modern art exhibitions, rewarded Murano glass Pieces and art installations created by local artists.
As far as the prices are concerned: The espresso costs 11€, the cappuccino 15€, breakfast 45€ and the brunch 60€, but the high prices aren’t a deterrent as visitors appreciate, not only about coffee, but also the history.
Truman Capote once said that 'Venice is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs in one go.' Probably he was sitting in Caffè Florian.
Violetta Athanasiadou
Proof-reader Valerie Kousoulis
Source: iefimerida.gr
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