Monumental Cinema Teatro
Praca do Saldanha,
Lisbon
Praca do Saldanha,
Lisbon
No one has favorited this theater yet
Opened on 14th November 1951, the architect of this ‘monumental’ cinema which certainly lived up to its name was Raul Rodrigues Lima.
The building took up a whole city block and seating in the large auditorium was on orchestra level with two balconies above. The cinema was equipped to screen 70mm movies and films such as “Ben Hur”, “My Fair Lady”, “West Side Story” and “2001: A Space Odessy” all had long runs here.
I don’t know when the Monumental closed, but I do know that there was great pressure put on the ‘powers that be’ to save the building from destruction. All this came to nothing and sadly it was demolished in 1984.
Any further information on this magnificent cinema would be appreciated.
I believe that the current 4 screen Monumental Cinema, located at Edifico Monumental, Praca Duque de Saldanha is built on the site of the Monumental Cinema Teatro. This new cinema screens independent and European art house movies.
Contributed by
KenRoe
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
Eden and Monumental were the two major cinemas. Unfortunately, both were forgotten by the city councils, and if Internet has come earlier maybe now both could still be there with us.
The current cinemas has nothing to do with the old cinema, just the place. Now, the building hosts a shopping center and lots of firms and even residentials.
sketch here:
View link
exterior photos here. Looks enormous!
View link
Monumental, cinema exterior shown here
View link