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In Asmara was built the Cinema Impero in 1937. It is worldwide considered a masterpiece of "Italian Art-Deco style"

The Cinema Impero is a Art Deco style Cinema built by the Italians in Asmara (Eritrea) and opened in 1937.

History

The Cinema Impero was the biggest movie theater done in Asmara during the last period of the Italian colony of Eritrea. It was named after the conquest of Ethiopia by Mussolini and his proclamation of the Italian Empire.

The Building still remains a cinema today, and is one of the finest examples of modernist architecture anywhere in the world.

The Cinema Impero is still structurally sound after 70 years. Luckily, it has not been damaged during the numerous conflicts that have affected the Horn of Africa over the past century, and so it stands today.

It is a touristic attraction in modern Asmara, with the famous Fiat Tagliero Building and some other italian-period structures of colonial Eritrea, like the Presidential Palace and the City Hall.

Structure

The Building is surprising almost exactly as it was done in the 1930's, when was designed by architect Mario Messina [1].

Most of the equipment and the seats are all original. Forty-five round lights decorate the front with the name 'Cinema Impero' spelt out vertically in illuminated letters. It certainly is a landmark building, especially at night.

Several pairs of doors lead into the cinema. Each door has an impressive large semi-circular handle forming a full circle with its partner when both are closed.

See Also

• Italian Eritreans
• Asmara
• Fiat Tagliero Building
• Asmara President's Office

External Link

• A recent visit to 'Cinema Impero'
• Asmara Italian Art-deco architecture

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