International Library La Vigna facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Biblioteca Internazionale La Vigna
Country	Italy
Type	Public, International, Specialized library.
Established	1981
Location	Vicenza
Website	http://www.lavigna.it/

The Centro di Cultura e Civiltà Contadina - Biblioteca Internazionale La Vigna is a special library. It focuses on books about agriculture and wine. People around the world consider it the best place for studying grape varieties.

This unique library is located in Vicenza, Italy. You can find it in an old building called Palazzo Brusarosco. Parts of this building were even updated by a famous architect named Carlo Scarpa.

How the Library Started

The founder, Demetrio Zaccaria.

The Biblioteca Internazionale “La Vigna” was created by Demetrio Zaccaria. He was a businessman from Vicenza. In 1951, he read a book about wine-making in New York City. This made him very interested in the topic.

It took Demetrio twenty years to build this amazing library. He wanted it to be a place for researchers and wine lovers. The first book he bought was a "Dictionary of Wine." He traveled a lot and met important people. One key person was André Simon, who founded the International Wine and Food Society. André Simon became a role model for Demetrio.

In the early 1970s, Demetrio moved to Vicenza with his large book collection. In 1980, he bought Palazzo Brusarosco. This building became the library's home. The next year, when he was seventy, he gave the palace and his nearly 10,000 books to the city of Vicenza. He wanted to make sure his collection would be safe and used for a long time. Demetrio Zaccaria passed away in 1993.

The Library Building

The second floor, designed by Carlo Scarpa.

The Biblioteca Internazionale “La Vigna” is located in Palazzo Brusarosco. This building has a long history. It was originally a house built within the old city walls in the 1400s. Over the years, it was changed many times. In the 1700s, it was made larger.

During World War II, the building was badly damaged by bombs. Later, in the 1970s, a lawyer named Ettore Gallo bought it. He asked the famous architect Carlo Scarpa to help fix it up. Scarpa designed a special apartment on the second floor. It had smooth corners and lots of natural light. Today, this area is often used for exhibitions and meetings.

The library itself is on the first floor. The ground floor is now used to store even more books.

What You Can Find Inside

The library has about 50,000 books! They are mostly about agriculture, growing grapes, making wine, beekeeping, and cooking. The library always buys new books, both old and new.

Some of the oldest books are about cooking from the 1500s and 1600s. One special book is "De honesta voluptate" (1530) by Platina. It's thought to be the first modern cookbook!

For wine lovers, there are old books like "De naturali vinorum historia" (1596) by Andrea Bacci. The library is also famous for its books on ampelography, which is the study of grapevines. A key book here is "Ampelographia" (1660) by Philipp Jacob Sachs.

The library also has a unique collection of poems about wine. It has 63 out of 82 known editions of "Il Bacco in Toscana" by Francesco Redi.

Besides the original collection, other special collections have been added:

• IRA Collection: These 2,500 books are from the late 1800s and early 1900s. They tell the story of farming in Vicenza and the Veneto region.
• Fagiani Collection: This collection has 1,100 books about farming history and economy in Italy and Europe. It was a gift from a historian named Fernando Fagiani.
• Caproni Collection: Bought in 1997, this collection has about 6,500 books. Many are about managing farms and land. It also has rare books like "Della agricoltura" (1528).
• Galla Collection: This collection was a gift in 2007. It has about 400 books and magazines about hunting. You can find books on how to catch game, hunting stories, and even old manuals on getting a hunting license. The oldest book is from 1790.

Cultural Activities

Demetrio Zaccaria wanted the library to be more than just a place for books. He wanted it to be a "Center for Rural Culture and Civilization." This means the library also organizes events and projects.

They work with many groups, like wine associations and research centers. These activities help people learn more about farming, wine, and food. They also have a group called "Amici de La Vigna" (Friends of La Vigna) to support their work.

Groups Hosted Here

The library also hosts several groups that focus on food culture and protecting the environment:

• Accademia internazionale “La donna e il vino” (International Academy "Women and Wine")
• Associazione “Amici dei Parchi” (Association "Friends of the Parks")
• Accademia italiana “La vite e il vino” (Italian Academy "The Vine and Wine")
• Accademia italiana della cucina – Sezione di Vicenza (Italian Culinary Academy – Vicenza Section)
• Gruppo micologico Bresadola – Vicenza (Bresadola Mycology Group – Vicenza)
• Convivium Slow Food del Vicentino (Slow Food Convivium of Vicenza)