These are not just practical changing rooms. Capannes are a unique part of the local culture, lifestyle and history. For many Venetians, they are literally a second home during the summer months.
What are capannes?
The word capanna in Italian means hut or house. On the beaches of Lido, however, it refers to a specific type of private beach cabin that provides comfort, privacy and protection from the sun.
A typical capanna is wooden or brick, with a small veranda, enclosed space and facilities for a day at the seaside. Inside there are usually sun loungers, chairs, a table, storage space and a place to change clothes. Many families spend whole days here and some rent the houses for the whole summer season.
How did the capanne tradition start?
The history of the capanne dates back to the second half of the 19th century, when Lido di Venezia began to transform into one of Europe's most luxurious seaside resorts.
In the era of Victorian morality, it was not common to dress up in public. The first visitors therefore needed a private place to change into bathing clothes and relax between baths. It was at this time that the first beach cabanas were created.
With the growing popularity of the Lido, the simple changing rooms were gradually transformed into comfortable beach houses. At the beginning of the 20th century they became a symbol of luxury and social status. Having your own capanna on the beach was a prestigious thing.
The golden era of Lido
At the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, Lido enjoyed a period of unprecedented glory. The island was visited by aristocrats, artists, writers and wealthy businessmen from all over Europe.
Famous hotels, elegant Liberty-style villas and long rows of beach houses were built during this period. The capannes became a characteristic feature of the beaches here and still recall the atmosphere of the famous Belle Époque.
Visitors could enjoy the sea baths, promenades and social life in what was considered one of the most prestigious resorts in Europe at the time.
More than just a dressing room
For the locals, capannes are not just a beach amenity. They are a way of life.
Venetians often spend the whole summer on the beach. The house serves as a base for family reunions, lunches, afternoon relaxation and evening gatherings. It is not uncommon for a capanna to run in the family for generations or for a group of friends to book the same place every year.
In many cases, small communities form around individual houses where neighbours have known each other for decades.
Why are capannes so special?
You can find beach houses elsewhere in Europe, for example in Germany or the UK. However, Venetian capannes are unique because of their history and the way they are used.
Unlike ordinary beach cabanas, they are not just for changing clothes. They are part of everyday life on the beach and create a characteristic scenery that you won't find anywhere else in Italy on such a scale.
Moreover, the rows of cabanas give Lido's beaches a unique look that has become a favourite motif of photographers, filmmakers and painters.
Where can you find capanne?
The largest concentration of beach huts are found on the main private beaches in central Lido. The most famous are the areas around the historic Excelsior and Des Bains hotels, which were among the most luxurious seaside resorts in Europe.
Walking along the coast, one cannot help but notice the regular rows of cabins that create an almost geometric landscape between the sea and the town.
A living tradition that has endured for more than a century
Many of the historical traditions of the seaside resorts have gradually disappeared. However, Capanne has survived changes in lifestyle, fashion trends and the development of mass tourism.
They are still one of the most striking symbols of the Lido di Venezia and recall a time when bathing in the sea was a social event and summers by the Adriatic Sea were synonymous with elegance.
They are an interesting attraction for visitors, an iconic motif for photographers and part of the island's identity for the locals. It is thanks to them that the Lido retains a unique character that sets it apart from other seaside resorts in Italy.
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