Giunti Odeon: The New Bookstore-Cinema in Florence

The new Giunti Odeon, housed in the Renaissance Palazzo dello Strozzino, has been restored by the designers and architects of the Benaim studio in Florence. 

The restoration has brought to light architectural and decorative elements that had long been unreadable, such as fountains, column decorations, tapestries, and the dome, now permanently illuminated. According to Gabriele Ametrano, the creative director of the project, the goal was to make this place “a symbol of the cultural renaissance that Florence deserves.”

The complex spans 1,500 square meters and includes the new bookstore next to the original cinema hall and two new screens: one for darkroom projections and a large LED wall for daytime entertainment. 

Initially, the project envisaged transforming the Art Déco hall into a multifunctional structure, abandoning films, but this idea was opposed by the cinema’s loyalists. In the end, the cinema remained the beating heart of Giunti Odeon, with evening screenings at 9 PM in the nearly 200-seat hall, in the original language and subtitled.

The Palazzo dello Strozzino, located in Piazza Strozzi in Florence, has undergone numerous changes over the centuries. Originally built in 1457 on a project by Filippo Brunelleschi and other architects, the palace underwent a significant transformation during the works for Florence Capital in 1865, being partially demolished to widen the nearby streets. After various changes of ownership, in 1914 it was transformed into an elegant theater on the suggestion of Eleonora Duse, and in 1919, acquired by the Italo-American Cinema Company, it became the Cinema Odeon.

Inaugurated on December 14, 1922, the Odeon combined the theatrical structure with that of modern cinemas. Characterized by a large colored glass dome, the hall boasted white and gold stuccoes, three gilded wooden statues of the Muses, and a large gold plaster decoration on the upper gallery wall, elements that gave a refined Art Déco-inspired atmosphere. In 1934, it hosted the first sound film screening in Florence, and after World War II it definitively transformed into a cinema, also hosting memorable events like the Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong concert in 1952. Over the years, Cinema Odeon has become a cultural reference point and has welcomed many celebrities from the cinema world, solidifying its international fame.

Today, this Renaissance palace is a precious example of the Art Déco architecture of the 1920s and continues to be a meeting place for people from all over the world, demonstrating how every corner of Florence has a fascinating story to tell.

Giunti Odeon is located in Piazza Strozzi, in the heart of Florence. It is easily reachable on foot from the city center or by public transport. The bookstore-cinema offers a wide range of cultural events, including literary meetings and art exhibitions.

Opening Hours

• Cinema: 21:00 – 00:00
• Bookstore: 09:30 – 20:00
• Restaurant: 08:30 – 00:00

The official website Giunti Odeon allows you to explore and manage:

• Booking cinema tickets
• Upcoming events
• Bookstore news

Giunti Odeon represents a new chapter in Florence’s cultural history, combining the charm of books with the magic of cinema. This innovative project offers a unique experience for residents and visitors, paying homage to the rich tradition of Cinema Odeon while looking to the future with enthusiasm and creativity. As the website’s motto says: “Discover in the heart of Florence a place made of books, cinema, and meetings.”