Attractions

Pisa | Caffè dell’Ussero and Lumière Cinema

On the Lungarno Pacinotti, it is impossible not to notice one of the most characteristic buildings: Palazzo Agostini Venerosi della Seta, thanks to the red colour of its bricks, its Gothic-style windows, and its very particular architectural elements. Its construction dates back to the 14th century, when the noble Pisan Astai family decided to build themselves a palace by amalgamating some tower houses. In 1496, it became the property of Mariano and Pietro Agostini, a wealthy family of silk merchants, who gave the palace the name that has come down to us.

Palazzo Agostini has played an important role in the city over the centuries. The ground floor was home to the Caffè dell’Ussero, established in 1775: it is the third oldest café in Italy after the Florian in Venice (1720) and the Greco in Rome (1760). Between the late 18th and mid-19th century, the Caffè was a workshop of Italian Enlightenment and Risorgimento ideas. The expedition of the University battalion to Curtatone and Montanara was organised here. The adoption of the name is due to the documented presence of French Hussar explorers who lived in an inn inside the building. It was also known as the ‘Caffè dell’Unione’ because it hosted the meetings of the first Italian Congress of Scientists in 1839. Among its Risorgimento ‘habitués’ were Domenico Guerrazzi, Giosuè Carducci, who created a heroicomic poem here, and Giacomo Mazzini.

At the back is the Cinema Lumière, the oldest cinema in Italy. Founded in 1905 in the renovated premises of the Caffè dell’Ussero, the Cinema hosted the first film sound experiment by Professor Pietro Pierini the following year. Since then, the Cinema has changed its name several times and survived the bombs of World War II. Today, the Lumière has become a space for events and entertainment, a live club offering concerts by national and international artists, but also book presentations, theatre courses, wine and local product tastings.

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