If you are a movie-lover, then the cinematic beauty of Tuscany is very appealing and makes it a perfect place for a vacation but so, too, does its history as a destination where famous films have been set and made. Fans of Roberto Benigni's beloved 1997 Oscar-winning masterpiece, “La Vita è Bella,” can head to a villa in Arezzo to see many locations from that movie, those who have always wanted to see the heavenly land from the end of the Russell Crowe vehicle, “Gladiator,” can wander it themselves with a vacation rental in the Orcia Valley, and Hannibal can be followed around Florence. In fact, we have a whole section of articles based around films and books set and made in Tuscany that you can browse and use to plan all sorts of adventures and holidays in Tuscany. However, if you have been considering a luxury villa in Florence, in particular, but are in search of somewhere to actually go and see some films while you are on holidays, then you will find yourself very much in luck. Florence happens to be home to a rather exceptionally beautiful and special cinema called the Cinema Odeon Firenze that any self-respecting movie buff will tell you makes for a magic place to relax and see a film while on vacation.
Located inside the Palazzo dello Strozzino, a historic palace right on the famous Piazza della Repubblica in the historic centre of Florence, the Cinema Odeon Firenze has been central to the history of cinema in Italy. Inaugurated on December 14th in 1922, it has hosted distinguished guests and important premieres, shown some of the most ground-breaking and significant films, and has had some of the most celebrated writers, directors, and actors tread across its stage. The palace itself dates back to 1457 and was built for Palla Strozzi according to designs by the famous Renaissance architect Filippo Brunelleschi before being overseen by another renowned architect of the time, Michelozzo. Occupied by the Strozzi family until the nineteenth century, it was then eventually sold to the City of Florence.
The palace was bought by the important Chiari hotelier family in 1904 who originally intended to build a luxury hotel inside the property. However, at the suggestion of Eleonora Duse, it was decided that a large and elegant movie theatre be installed instead and the alterations were overseen by Adolfo Coppedè. In 1919, the property was acquired by the Italian-American Cinema Society and the completion of the restructuring was entrusted to the famous Roman architect Marcello Piacentini.
The palace was bought by the important Chiari hotelier family in 1904 who originally intended to build a luxury hotel inside the property. However, at the suggestion of Eleonora Duse, it was decided that a large and elegant movie theatre be installed instead and the alterations were overseen by Adolfo Coppedè. In 1919, the property was acquired by the Italian-American Cinema Society and the completion of the restructuring was entrusted to the famous Roman architect Marcello Piacentini.
Today, the Cinema Odeon Firenze and the British Institute of Florence are both located inside the Palazzo dello Strozzino. The Cinema Odeon has become an important cultural fixture of Florence and is a place where those who have found a luxury villa in Florence can go and see foreign-language movies (including plenty of English-speaking films) that are subtitled in Italian, rather than dubbed, which is the more common practice in Italy. For international tourists on holidays in Florence, the cinema is an opportunity to go and potentially see a film in their language while abroad – a very appealing concept for the travelling cinema fiend! Plus, this is not just your regular cinema experience. The Cinema Odeon is utterly transportive with its incredible 1920s interiors, particularly in the large rectangular hall featuring a horseshoe gallery and lateral box seats that is a blend of a cinema and classic theatre. A trip to the movies here is a rather elegant and magical affair and really is a must for a film-lover who has found a villa with a private pool in Florence. Check out the scheduled movies on their website and plan a visit on your next holiday in Tuscany.
