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Venetian legends and ghost stories. A guide to places of mystery in Venice Paperback – January 1, 2002

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

Venetian Legends and Ghost Stories A Guide To Places Of Mystery In Venice
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Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Elzeviro; 2nd edition (January 1, 2002)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 214 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 8887528063
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-8887528060
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.3 ounces
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 17 ratings

About the author

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Alberto Toso Fei
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Alberto Toso Fei

Alberto Toso Fei was born in Venice in 1966. A Murano islander, he descends from one of the oldest families of master glassmakers. A journalist, writer and historian, he reported for television news outlets Televenezia, Antenna Tre Nord Est and Telenordest in addition to print media.

His successful first book “Venetian Legends and Ghost Stories” (2000, Arsenale / 2002, Elzeviro) was followed by “Veneziaenigma” (2004, Elzeviro), winner of the Gambrinus Giuseppe Mazzotti award (2005) and the audience award Veneto Banca—The Voice of Readers (2005). The trilogy was completed in 2005 with the publication of “Mysteries of the Lagoon and Stories of Witches” (Elzeviro), winner of the Villa Morosin Special Jury Prize for fiction.

2007 saw the publication of “Shakespeare in Venice: Exploring the City with Shylock and Othello” (Elzeviro), a joint effort with Professor Shaul Bassi. “The Ruyi—Venice” and “The Ruyi—Rome” (2009, Log607/Marsilio) introduced an innovative travel guide concept in collaboration with Log607. Toso Fei also edited “My Local Guide: Venice”, one in a popular travel guide series.

Most recently, “Secrets of the Grand Canal: Mysteries, Anecdotes and Curiosities about the Most Beautiful Boulevard in Venice” (2010, Studio LT2) was published in Venice and is now in its second printing.

Toso Fei is the Artistic Director of the festival “Veneto Spettacoli di Mistero”, now in its second year. The festival, created and supported by the Regione del Veneto, runs the entire month of November.

He lives and writes in both Venice and Rome.

and here, some anecdotes...

Legends in music

In 2009, singer-songwriter Gilberto Gasparini recorded an album of songs in the Venetian language entitled “El Petene” (the “comb”, as the Venetians affectionately call the metal decoration on the prow of the gondola). In it are four songs inspired explicitly by “Veneziænigma” by Alberto Toso Fei, recalling ancient legends of the Venetian tradition.

Spectacles of Mystery: Legend becomes a Festival

In 2009 and 2010 Alberto Toso Fei directed the Festival of Mystery, entitled “Veneto: Spectacles of Mystery” which came to life in one hundred and forty sites across the region, and lasted through the entire month of November starting on October 31, the night of All Saints. Supported by the Regione Veneto and organized across the territory by the Pro Loco offices of the UNPLI network, this unprecedented Festival was dedicated entirely to Mystery, producing events dedicated to the mysteries and legends of the Veneto in the squares and towns of the historical cities, or immersed in the splendid natural settings of the region, from the mountain forests to the waters of the lagoon. The roster included sites of mystery, historic enigmas of the past, spirits, the dead, and ghost-ridden castles, natural areas animated by legends, figures from Venetian imagery (ogres, anguana nymphs, mazzarioli and sanguanelli elves and fairies), stories of devils and witches, mysterious historical personalities, artistic and literary curiosities.

Every legend and mystery was presented in the squares, villas, castles, forests, towns, and historical cities in theatre productions, costumed evocations, guided tours, story-tellings, puppets, projections, readings, concerts, musicals, exhibitions of art and photography, torchlight processions, games for children.

The artistic events were complemented by a gourmet experience, as every location offered its own specialty products, foods and wines. During the Festival, a book on the Mysteries of the Veneto (also translated into English) and edited by Toso Fei, was available for sale.

The secrets of the Grand Canal… snapped up!

In 2009, “The Secrets of the Grand Canal”, which had been on sale for only seven months (it was released in May), was the best seller in the major bookstores of Venice and Mestre: the readers at the Mondadori, Giunti and Toletta bookstores – among others – really liked the double book.

At the Giunti store, in particular, the books by Alberto Toso Fei set another very special record. As the most … shoplifted book! In 2010 at least eleven copies were stolen during the two weeks of Carnival. Not a very distinguished record, but a flattering one!

Venetian Legends and Ghost Stories (blue edition)

Probably not everyone knows that “Venetian Legends and Ghost Stories” was printed in a first edition, with a blue cover, by Arsenale in 2000. Despite the large number of books printed (in just a few months, numerous editions were printed for a total of several thousand copies), it is now a rare book for collectors. The book was designed entirely by Alessandro Toso Fei, and features a sophisticated graphic design with retouched photographs taken specifically for its pages.

The book “Venetian Legends and Ghost Stories” led to the creation of “ghost tours” in Venice, an activity that did not exist before it was published, and is based explicitly on the texts of the book.

In October 2003 it became a “talking book”, an audio version for the visually impaired by the Italian Association of the Blind; over the years it has also become a popular choice for the gift by wedding couples to their guests. Furthermore, from Venice to Connecticut, from France to Rhode Island, the book has been used to develop classroom projects: at the Ridgefield Middle School in Ridgefield, Connecticut, for example, as an educational tool in literature classes on Halloween; at the Birchwood Middle School in North Providence, Rhode Island, as an educational tool for art classes; at the Collège “Pierre Sémard” in Bobigny, Paris, it was the focus of a student project for a feature-length film.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
17 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2025
    For lovers of ghost stories and history, this is the perfect book.
  • Reviewed in the United States on September 12, 2021
    I was a little worried if I am going to receive an Italian or English copy, based on the photos, but this is indeed the English book.

    I think this book could make a nice alternative tour guide. I recommend it to someone who is currently in Venice / just visited Venice, for there are a lot of maps and references to various parts of the city. I think it adds to the reading experience if you have the buildings in front of you.

    Otherwise I also recommend it for the stories themselves, or it could make a nice Christmas gift for someone who likes Venice or to travel.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on December 4, 2020
    this little book is a jewel...I was in venice two nights and my original book was such a hit with the people on our tour almost everyone borrowed it and went on a trail ghost tour.
    one women and her daughter the last to use it love it so much ..I gifted to them.
    BUT I HAD TO PURCHASE ANOTHER I STILL READ IT.....10 STARS..
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 12, 2015
    I have been to Venice several times but did not know
    the legends. Alberto Fei definitely revealed not only the
    beauty of the City but also its Ghosts.
  • Reviewed in the United States on May 22, 2016
    I Recommend this Book! - I bought this book when I was on vacation in Venice, Italy and it's really fascinating. This book isn't just about ghost stories, it's about witches, mermaids, shrieking skulls, curses, dealings with the devil, wizards and more. Italians have a lot of weird stories and this book was full of them. It was very interesting and entertaining and a good read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on October 13, 2004
    We bought this wonderful book at the Doge's Palace gift store. At the time my daughter had a keen interest in ghosts and ghost stories and thought this looked like a fun project. The book is laid out in a series of four itineraties that will take you through Venice's backstreets and alleys in search of ghostly events and histories. It's a great way to see the city while you get the kids out of the hotel for a fairly long walk. Each stop is well spaced out, not too far from each other and the stories well written and clearly translated. You'll benefit from an additional tourist map to guide you since the ones in the book don't give you a complete picture of Venice. It's still pretty hard to get lost - just head for the Grand Canal.
    14 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Rose Daly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Brilliant
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 19, 2013
    and very useful for my next trip to Venice. I have learned lots of interesting stuff about the city's ghosts and history.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Brenda Davie
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 6, 2015
    Brilliant book