Travel was a way of life for the Austrian poet and novelist Rainer Maria Rilke, and it was integral to his work. Between 1897 and 1920 he visited Venice ten times. The city has inspired countless writers and artists, but Rilke was both enthralled and provoked by it, as eager to see and explore the city’s deserted shipyards and back alleys as the iconic sights of St Mark’s and the Doge’s Palace. He would walk the city alone, staying in simple guesthouses or the grand palaces of his patrons. Birgit Haustedt guides readers through the city in the poet’s footsteps, showing us the sights through Rilke’s eyes.

Translated by: Stephen Brown