A peculiar cinema in Villa Borghese
Not everyone knows that in Rome, inside Villa Borghese, there is the Cinema dei Piccoli. This cinema is considered the smallest in the world with 63 seats. A title that was awarded to it in 2005 in the Guinness Book of Records: “smallest building in the world used for film shows.”
The “Mickey Mouse House,” it was called, was built in 1934 by Alfredo Annibali. The sign, in fact, showed Mickey Mouse holding a movie camera. Disney later ordered the removal of the name “Mickey Mouse.” Comedy and cartoons were included in the programming.
After the theater closed due to World War II, the cinema returned to open its doors to the public. In the 1970s, however, it faced a time of crisis. And later the programming was entrusted to Enzo Fiorenza, among the creators of the Estate Romana.
Since then the Cinema dei Piccoli has been offering animated films and art cinema. In addition, in 2007 the “Dei Piccoli Film Festival” was presented, thanks to the contribution of the Lazio Region, for the development of a quality cinema for children. In our opinion it is one of the best cinemas in town.
Cost and hours Cinema dei Piccoli
Cinema dei Piccoli is open Wednesday through Sunday, usually the first show is at 4:30 p.m. and the last at 9:45 p.m. but it depends on the movie shown and the days. Ticket cost is €7.50 (from age 2) on holidays and Saturdays, €6.00 from age 2 on weekdays, same price on Wednesdays.
This particular venue can also be rented for private events, not bad to celebrate one’s birthday in this green gem. It is sure to be a memorable day among greenery and art in Rome.
Where: Villa Borghese, Largo Marcello Mastroianni, 15, 00197 Rome. To make reservations: 06 8553485. Here find programming.