Whenever anybody approached it, they were stunned. There was nothing similar to the Monumental Cinema in all Madrid. When it was inaugurated, in the 20´s, in the area of Antón Martín, the Madrileños had never before seen anything like it . It was a remarkable and magnificent building. We want to recall it, as well as other important places in Madrid. We will start a new section in our blog which we will call Places with a lot of History.

FILMS AND PLAYS IN A MONUMENTAL BUILDING

In 1923, when the Monumental Cinema was inaugurated, the Madrileños thought that the name of the building could not have been more appropriate. There was no other like it in Madrid. It was designed by the prestigious architect Teodoro Anasagasti. It took 16 years to build and at last it was opened to the general public in 1923. It seated up to 4.000 people, a fact which up to then, had been unprecedented.

The building, located in Calle Atocha, had an enormous cinema and a large stage where plays and other performances took place. The inside of the building had art decó decorations. The façade was astonishing and we must highlight the enormous stained glass windows. Unfortunately, nothing of this remains. The façade of the building has been completely reconstructed.

SPLENDOUR AND DECLINE

The Monumental Cinema was next to the underground station of Antón Martín, which was built in 1919. It was therefore easy to get there and it became a “must” regarding Madrid´s nightlife.
Silent films which were livened up by an orchestra, attracted large numbers of people. The acoustics were excellent and this enabled it to become a concert hall too.

We can point out the golden 30´s and 40´s of the cinema, when variety shows were added. Unfortunately, as the years went by, the glitter of the Monumental Cinema began to fade away and its splendour languished. At the end of the 70´s, the idea of demolishing the building was considered, due to the fact that it was no longer a profitable business. Fortunately, the premises survived and at present it houses the Orchestra of Radio Televisión Española.

AN ANECDOTE

The Russian musician, Serguei Prokofiev, played there for the first time his Second Violin Concerto. It took place on 1 December 1935. This is arrayed on a commemorative plaque which can be seen on the façade of the building.