Space Cinema Moderno

Located on the Piazza della Repubblica in a stylish colonnaded terrace building that originally contained the Galleria Estada (today the Estada Hotel). The Cinematografo Moderno & Cinematografo Modernetto were the first purpose built cinemas to open in Rome. They were twin screens, located side-by-side, each seating 300 on a single level. They opened in 1907 under the direction of Italian cinema pioneer Filoteo Alberini.

Beautifully decorated in a Beaux Arts style, with painted ceilings containing cherubs, the twin screens were the prime city centre cinemas in the city for many years.

In the 1970’s and 1980’s, they went over to screening adult porn films. It wasn’t until the early-2000’s that they were revived by the Warner Village chain. Three more screens have now been added in adjoining space in the building. One screen is dedicated to screening films in original language versions and the cinemas now show first run mainstream films. Some original decorative artwork from 1907 is still visible in the foyer areas and in the ceiling of screen 4.

In 2009, it was taken over by the Space Cinema chain

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

Ken Roe on August 4, 2008 at 4:43 am

Views of the Galleria Estada building which contains the Warner Village Moderno Cinemas:
http://flickr.com/photos/47817923@N00/868469585/
http://flickr.com/photos/gmacorig/111439408/
http://flickr.com/photos/gloriachang/248125400/
The entrance photographed in c.1908:
http://flickr.com/photos/italiangerry/478255872/
The entrance photographed in 2007:
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Detail of rear exit:
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http://flickr.com/photos/stager57/2392915711/
Original auditorium of the Cinematografo Moderno in 1904:
http://flickr.com/photos/italiangerry/480509324/
Original 1904 painted ceilings:
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Gerald A. DeLuca on July 18, 2019 at 10:46 am

In addition to the Moderno screens, there were also summer screenings in their outdoor Arena Esedra, entrance around the corner. In July 1989 I went to three programs: “Andrea Chenier” by Fracassi, “I dialoghi delle carmelitane,” and “Si Versaille m'etait conte” by Guitry.

Gerald A. DeLuca on July 19, 2019 at 7:27 am

I saw the movie Hitch here in March 2005.

Gerald A. DeLuca on August 22, 2019 at 10:04 am

On May 18, 1940, according to a listing in Il Messaggero, this cinema was showing the Italian film “In campagna e' caduta una stella” with Eduardo and Peppino De Filippo and a short on Norway. There were five complete shows beginning at 4 P.M., as was the customary starting time.