One of the places I was excited to visit in Florence was the Giunti Odeon, a bookshop inside a cinema. Not a cinema with a bookshop attached; a place where you can read books, watch movies, and enjoy a nice drink at the same time!
The History
This cinema really captured the ability storytelling gives us, to adapt to what patrons need. The space originally opened in the early 20th century, when it was designed to be a theatre for classic plays. In 1922, it became one of Italy’s most famous cinemas; in 1934, they screened their first film with sound; in 2023, the bookshop was opened. This is a structure built around the needs and wants of those in Florence who are seeking elevated storytelling, opulence, and culture.
Present Day
The Giunti Odeon shows movies regularly; during the bookshop’s opening (daytime) hours, the cinema plays movies silently, with subtitled captions so that you can follow along with the story. It transforms to a sound-filled cinema at night, after the bookshop has closed.
Wandering through the shelves, I saw so many titles of (mostly Italian) books. The English offering was mostly high-end classic books (like cloth-bound Charles Dickens and Jane Austen stories), historical books about Florence and the Medici family, and cookbooks for Italian food.
The Devil Wears Prada played silently in the background, and the captions for the film were in Italian. I learned later that this isn’t unusual; in fact, in looking at their current offering, subtitles can be both English or Italian. La Dolce Vita plays this week in its original Italian audio, with English titles; recent release The Invite is showing in English audio, with Italian subtitles. Locals and tourists can both enjoy the films!
Why Visit the Giunti Odeon?
If you’re looking to take a break from lots of walking, I really recommend a visit. This air-conditioned shop has lots of seating. On the ground floor, there are two rows of seats of wooden, movie-style folding seats close to the stage. If if you’re looking for a place to rest, you can take in the film. The mezzanine seats (those above ground-level), unfortunately, aren’t available during the day. Seating on the upper floors consists of tables and chairs, for those trying to work on laptops or study. There was a respectful quiet to the space, which I found pleasant if not odd. Voices should carry in a theatre, but everyone was respectful of the calm atmosphere. On the upper level there’s also a small gallery space, and a display with more information about the cinema.
All in all, I would definitely recommend checking out Giunti Odeon on your next trip to Florence!
Where: Piazza degli Strozzi, 50123 Firenze FI, Italy
Cost: The bookshop and common spaces are free to visit during the day. Tickets for evening movies can range from €6–12, depending on where you’re sitting.
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