Cinema theatres are fast becoming an endangered species. While live streaming services have certainly taken a bite out of big cinema chains’ profits, it is the smaller, more intimate venues—the ones that feel frozen in time—that are truly on the verge of extinction. In my hometown, we still had a few of those charming theatres when I was growing up. The kind where you knew the owner by name. Places that the same family had lovingly run for generations. Now, these cozy, familiar cinemas are fading into obscurity, and with a heavy heart, you hear of yet another closing. But Cinema Odeon defied this fate. Its transformation into Giunti Odeon has given the historic venue a vibrant new chapter, allowing it to thrive not only as a cinema but also as a bookstore and a vibrant cultural hub.
History
Architect Marcello Piacentini designed Cinema Odeon, one of the oldest cinemas in Florence, in the 1920s. It is nestled within the historic Palazzo dello Strozzino, a Renaissance palace once home to the cadet branch of the illustrious Strozzi family. Its stone façade, facing Piazza degli Strozzi, earned the building the nickname “Palazzo delle Tre Porte,” a reference to its distinctive trio of ground-floor doorways. In 2023, Odeon Cinema was reborn through a collaboration with the Giunti publishing house, opening its doors in its current form. The space has preserved its cultural essence by seamlessly blending the roles of a cinema and a bookshop all under one roof.
Giunti Odeon venue
The ground floor, once home to the cinema stalls, has now been transformed into a spacious bookstore. It boasts over 1,200 meters of shelving filled with a diverse range of books. Meanwhile, the upper level preserves the original cinema setting. Films are regularly screened, often in their original language with Italian subtitles. Additionally, the space includes a café, providing visitors with a cozy spot to enjoy coffee or a meal. From what I observed, it is a great place for friends to meet up, unwind, or even get some work done. There were quite a few people with laptops. I am not sure whether they were digital nomads or just enjoying the vibe of the place. It seemed like an easygoing spot to settle in for a while.
The bar at the venue also has outdoor seating and features a buchetta del vino, or wine window. This tradition dates back to the Renaissance, when noble families would sell wine directly from their estates. Unlike many wine windows around Tuscany that are no longer in use, this one is still functional, thanks to the bar—so I recommend trying it for the experience. While there, I also sampled Cantucci with Vin Santo. Cantucci is a dry, oblong almond biscuit typically dipped into Vin Santo, a sweet dessert wine—both are iconic Tuscan treats.
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