Bologna's Historic Cinemas: A Journey Through Time and Revival
Bologna, home to Europe's most important film archive (Cineteca), boasts a rich cinematic history beginning with the first projection on September 2, 1896 at Teatro Brunetti (now Teatro Duse). The first permanent cinema, Sala Marconi, opened in 1904 on via Rizzoli. Today, several historic cinemas have been revitalized. Cinema Lumière, opened January 17, 1984, moved to via Azzo Gardino 65 in 2003 and hosts the Festival Cinema Ritrovato and summer screenings in Piazza Maggiore. Cinema Odeon, a pioneering multiplex since 1982, was renovated by architect Angelini and Roboni. Pop Up Cinema unites Cinema Medica Palace (the region's largest screen, 868 seats) and Cinema Jolly, plus Cinema Bristol (reopened 2008). Cinema Perla, near Porta San Donato, was fully renovated in 2001 and upgraded in 2017. The Cineteca is restoring the historic Cinema Modernissimo, a subterranean cinema from 1915, to its original Liberty style with 4K projection, set to reopen soon.
Key facts
- First projection in Bologna: September 2, 1896 at Teatro Brunetti (now Teatro Duse).
- First permanent cinema: Sala Marconi in 1904 on via Rizzoli.
- Cinema Lumière opened January 17, 1984; moved to via Azzo Gardino 65 in 2003.
- Cinema Odeon opened in 1982 as one of Italy's first multiplexes.
- Pop Up Cinema includes Cinema Medica Palace (868 seats, largest in Emilia-Romagna), Cinema Jolly, and Cinema Bristol (reopened 2008).
- Cinema Perla renovated in 2001 and 2017, has 438 seats.
- Cinema Modernissimo opened in 1915 as a subterranean cinema; restoration led by Cineteca di Bologna.
- Modernissimo restoration includes Liberty-style interiors and 4K projection.
Entities
Artists
- Terry Gilliam
Institutions
- Cineteca di Bologna
- Cinema Lumière
- Cinema Odeon
- Pop Up Cinema
- Cinema Medica Palace
- Cinema Jolly
- Cinema Bristol
- Cinema Perla
- Cinema Modernissimo
- Teatro Brunetti
- Teatro Duse
- Sala Marconi
- Festival Cinema Ritrovato
- Biografilm Festival
- Artribune
Locations
- Bologna
- Italy
- via Pietralata 55
- via Azzo Gardino 65
- Pratello
- Piazza Maggiore
- via Mascarella
- via Belle Arti
- via Mentana
- via Toscana
- Porta di San Donato
- Piazza Re Enzo 1
- via Rizzoli 3