Founded in the 1700s, Libreria Bocca is the last trace of a publishing dynasty

Giorgio and Monica Lodetti carry on the legacy of Libreria Bocca. Their mission is to uphold the values of independence, intellectual curiosity, and community engagement – in an increasingly digital and commercialized landscape

Libreria Bocca: Milan’s living archive of culture and humanity

Libreria Bocca in Milan is not only one of the oldest bookstores in Italy but potentially the oldest in the world. Its history spans centuries, intertwining with the evolution of Italian publishing, art, and culture. Located in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, it continues to function not only as a point of sale but as a cultural institution, a curated art gallery, and a site of historical investigation. The current directors, Giorgio Lodetti and his sister Monica, carry on this legacy with a clear mission: to uphold the values of independence, intellectual curiosity, and community engagement in an increasingly digital and commercialized landscape.

Origins in print: from Cuneo to global recognition

The roots of Libreria Bocca reach back to the early Eighteenth century. Giorgio Lodetti, editor of Libreria Bocca’s documented history, explains: «I discovered in the chronicles of the city of Cuneo that on August 9, 1740, Antonio Bocca, bookseller and printer, was given the right to display the city’s coat of arms on the sign of the bookstore and printing press».

Lodetti has been pursuing further archival research to establish the actual start of the business, suggesting its activity predates 1740: «If the coat of arms was added in that year, the sign—and the activity—must have already existed. It means Bocca was already someone of significance». He further connects Bocca to the Benentini family, a lineage of printers active since the Seventeenth century, speculating that he may have succeeded them through a professional partnership.

Currently, the title of the world’s oldest bookstore belongs to Bertrand in Lisbon, which claims a founding date of 1732. Yet, should Lodetti’s findings confirm pre-1732 operations, Libreria Bocca may hold a unique place in global publishing history: «We could be the oldest bookstore in the world».

Historical evidence also includes an edition printed in 1744, a short pamphlet dedicated from a son to his father, bearing the name Antonio Bocca. Lodetti emphasizes the improbability that the first publication occurred four years after the granting of the city’s coat of arms: «It’s highly unlikely the print shop started in 1740 and only published its first book in 1744».

The Bocca dynasty: continuity through centuries

By 1775, historical records show three brothers from the Bocca family establishing a printing and bookselling operation. From that generation to Giuseppe Bocca Jr., who died in 1951, the lineage of printers, editors, and booksellers is well documented: «From Giuseppe Bocca Jr. onwards, everything is traceable, with archives confirming every step».

Bocca was a prominent name in Italian publishing during the Nineteenth and early Twentieth centuries, issuing first Italian editions of major European thinkers such as Nietzsche and Kierkegaard, as well as national authors like Silvio Pellico. Two major editorial series—Piccola Biblioteca di Scienza Moderna and Biblioteca di Scienza Moderna—helped consolidate its intellectual prestige.

During the early Twentieth century, there was a collaboration between Bocca and the French publisher Félix Alcan. This relationship was multifaceted. Some books featured both names on the frontispiece, while in other cases publications were rebranded: «The first edition of Cesare Lombroso’s atlas ‘Criminal man’ was thought to be French, but in reality, the French edition had a sticker from Félix Alcan over the Bocca imprint».

The Milan location—established in 1824 and currently housed in the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II—represents the final remaining chapter of this lineage. While previous branches operated in Turin, Florence, Rome, and possibly Paris, all except Milan have since closed: «What remains today is the last activity started by the Bocca family, still bearing the same name and lineage».

The bookstore changed ownership over time. By the early Twentieth century, the Milan and Rome branches were jointly operated by the Carabba publishing house and the Mauri family. Carabba, founded in the late Nineteenth century in Lanciano, was known for its literary contributions and collaborations with prominent Italian authors. The Mauri family became a central figure in Italian publishing through their later founding of Messaggerie Italiane, a major distribution group. Their partnership reflected a strategic attempt to consolidate and sustain Bocca’s legacy during a period of increasing industrialization in publishing.

Lodetti notes that these transitions marked a shift in management without severing ties with the Bocca legacy. In 1978, the Milan store was sold to the Lodetti family, beginning a new era: «My father bought the store with a loan from Mauri. He was working at Messaggerie Libri at the time and wanted to build something lasting».

Human commitment and cultural programming

From the 1980s onward, Libreria Bocca has pursued an increasingly public-facing cultural role: «When I was eight years old, I would come here after school. My father was already hosting book presentations and publishing limited edition prints».

Cultural events expanded significantly in 2021, accelerated by the pandemic and the rise of social media broadcasting. Giorgio created what he calls a «social TV», featuring artist talks, panel discussions, and book presentations, many streamed online: «In three years, we’ve hosted more than two thousand guests, including Alessandro Barbero, Fabio Fazio, and Luca Massimo Barbero».

This format, based on spontaneous conversation, aligns with the bookstore’s philosophy of open cultural dialogue: «These are not traditional literary panels. I never read the book in advance. I’m interested in why it was written, what’s behind it».

The bookstore hosts an average of two hundred and twenty events annually, which are filmed and archived: «Everything is available on our YouTube channel. Since 2021, each conversation has become part of our living archive».

Being part of a community in Milan’s historic center

Located at the heart of Milan, Libreria Bocca engages directly with the community that surrounds it: «From CEOs to unknown poets, everyone is welcome. People come in, talk, sometimes buy books, sometimes just look. It’s a living place. We’ve had artists, bankers, writers, and even ministers walk in unannounced. Everyone finds a place here. It’s an intersection of worlds».

The bookstore has developed into a local hub, not only for literature but for cultural exchange. This openness is facilitated by its family management: «We are one of the last family-run businesses in the Galleria. Others are just brands with rotating managers. In the past, shop owners in the Galleria were present. Now we are among the last where the owner is in the store».

Ethics and aesthetics in independent curation

The bookstore’s focus narrowed over the decades under the Lodetti’s stewardship. It now carries around seven thousand titles, mainly monographs on painters, sculptors, and catalogues from exhibitions: «We don’t sell novels or mass-market books. Either it’s a real monograph or it doesn’t enter the catalog».

This selective approach extends to the art displayed within the store—over two hundred and thirty works by contemporary artists are permanently exhibited: «I only show what I would collect myself. There has to be a correspondence between the artists’ work and their personality».

Since 2015, the store no longer sells books online: «If you want a book from Libreria Bocca, come to Libreria Bocca». The decision was based on Giorgio and Monica’s belief in the physical experience of browsing and discovering: «Today, every brand talks about experience. We’ve been doing it since 2010».

Even the store’s scent is curated: a fragrance of paper created by a renowned Italian perfumer. Giorgio sees the store as a multi-sensory experience: «The shop itself is the product».

Diversity and inclusion as a philosophy

While specialized, Libreria Bocca does not limit its programming to elite circles. Presentations range from philosophical essays to debut poetry collections. Events are not reserved for high-profile names: «We hosted young writers who published their first book, as well as internationally known figures. There’s space for everyone».

Giorgio notes that the digital outreach has extended the bookstore’s community beyond Italy: «Our events are now watched around the world. People from the U.S., Australia, and across Europe tell me they follow us online».

The bookstore’s inclusive programming features collaborations with institutions: «We recently supported the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum with fundraising, collecting over twenty-five thousand euros for their lighting system. It’s about leaving a cultural trace, not just selling books. Even brands like Valentino and Chanel come here because they sense the integrity of the place. We don’t compromise on that».

A milestone year: two hundred and fifty years and a national stamp

In October 2024, Libreria Bocca began its two hundred and fiftieth anniversary celebrations with an event at the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum. A special limited edition of Lodetti’s historical monograph, featuring a cover by Ugo Nespolo, was distributed. Events throughout the year have continued to commemorate the bookstore’s longevity: «Each event we do this year connects to the two hundred and fiftieth anniversary. It’s a way to involve the community and continue the bookstore’s role as a public cultural space».

Another upcoming recognition is the release of an Italian postal stamp scheduled for July 4, 2025: «The stamp has already been approved and printed by the Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato. The location for the presentation is still to be disclosed».

Looking ahead: cultural life in the industry

Libreria Bocca remains embedded in Milan’s historical and cultural identity. Yet, it operates with a forward-looking approach, continuously adapting its offerings to reflect contemporary artistic and intellectual life. The store participates in major art fairs, not book fairs: «My clients are not other booksellers, but collectors and curators. That’s where I need to be».

Libreria Bocca has also adopted a flexible and independent strategy for hosting exhibitions and events. Artists and curators are often selected through personal relationships or spontaneous visits to the store: «I don’t take money for exhibitions. If artists want to show here, I ask them to buy books. It’s a cultural exchange».

Through a blend of rigorous curation, historical continuity, and a commitment to public engagement, Libreria Bocca offers a model for what a cultural bookstore can be: «Every book has its reader. Every visitor adds something. It’s not about selling—it’s about sharing».

H3 Bio here – Libreria Bocca

Libreria Bocca is a historic bookstore located in Milan’s Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II, with documented activity dating back to at least 1740. It is the last surviving branch of a once widespread publishing network founded by the Bocca family. Today, the store operates under the direction of Giorgio and Monica Lodetti, focusing on art monographs and cultural programming. It hosts hundreds of public events each year and maintains a curated selection of publications and artworks.

Debora Vitulano