Palazzo Agostini – history, art, and civic life

History and description

Also known as Palazzo dell’Ussero or Palazzo Rosso, Palazzo Agostini is a Gothic civil building overlooking the Lungarno Pacinotti. Its origins date back to the 14th century, when the Astajo family merged two medieval tower houses, incorporating other buildings as well, in order to create a more elegant and imposing noble residence. In 1496, the palace passed into the hands of the brothers Mariano and Pietro Agostini, silk merchants, from whom it took the name it still bears today.

The façade is built entirely of brick and decorated with rich terracotta tiles, leaf motifs, anthropomorphic figures, heraldic coats of arms, as well as mullioned and triple‑light windows with marble columns. Originally, the roof featured an open loggia, later closed in the 19th century, while on the ground floor the lowered arches corresponded to shops and storerooms.

Behind the palace lies a private hanging garden with citrus trees, while at the rear stands the Cinema Lumière, one of the oldest cinemas in Italy, inaugurated in 1905. On the ground floor is also the historic Caffè dell’Ussero, founded in 1775, which played a significant cultural role as a meeting place for students and intellectuals. It even hosted the First Congress of Italian Scientists in 1839 and became a hub for events tied to the Italian Risorgimento.

Curiosities

A local legend tells that within the palace an unlucky French hussar was walled up alive, and that his ghost still lingers, making chains rattle in the silent nights.

Access

Palazzo Agostini is not a public museum, as it remains privately owned. However, the Caffè dell’Ussero on the ground floor is still active and freely accessible, while the Cinema Lumière, when functioning as a venue for events, screenings, or concerts, also offers opportunities for public access.

How to reach it

The palace is easily reachable on foot from the historic center or by bus from the railway station.

A unique place where architecture, history, and civic memory intertwine, Palazzo Agostini overlooks the Arno as a landmark waiting to be discovered.

Photo credits: Lucarelli (Wikipedia) - Licensed by CC 3.0