Cine Góngora

Cine Góngora, also known as Cine Pathè and today as Teatro Góngora, is a landmark entertainment venue in Córdoba, Spain. Designed by Madrid architect Luis Gutiérrez Soto and constructed between 1929 and 1932 on the site of the former Convento de Jesús María, it opened on 24 September 1932 with the Spanish premiere of the film "Shanghai Express." The building is a rare example of architectural rationalism in Córdoba, combining a Mediterranean façade with pergolas and semicircular arches, a sober modernist interior, and a distinctive open-air terrace where films were screened in summer. It was one of the city's most important theatres and, during the 1980s, practically the only one after the closure of the Gran Teatro. The venue hosted theatrical performances, film screenings, concerts, rallies, and various events. In 1997, the Gerencia de Urbanismo ordered its closure due to its poor condition. The building was acquired by the Ayuntamiento de Córdoba (city council) in 2004 for €2,464,000. In 2009, a remodelling project by architect Rafael de La-Hoz Castanys was presented, and renovation works began in mid-June of that year, costing approximately €3.8 million, financed by El Corte Inglés as compensation for the rehabilitation and expansion of its shopping centre on Calle Jesús María. The theatre reopened officially on 6 October 2011. Today, as Teatro Góngora, it operates as a municipal theatre and cultural venue.

Cine Góngora was built between 1929 and 1932 by Madrid architect Luis Gutiérrez Soto on the site of the former Convento de Jesús María in Córdoba, Spain. The project, dated 1930, combined Andalusian regionalist language on the façade with rationalist and Art Deco elements, especially in the interior decoration. The original structure was entirely of reinforced concrete with brick closure and façade walls, designed for fire safety according to regulations for such buildings. The cinema originally had a ground floor with 700 seats and two levels of boxes and a cantilevered amphitheatre with a capacity of 300 seats, including 14 boxes. The basement housed an artists' room with WC and boiler services, along with two elevator shafts. The second floor corresponded to the terrace, the summer cinema, accessed by two fast elevators and three staircases of 1.50 m. The third floor contained company offices, the concierge's dwelling, and other complementary services, with projection booths isolated according to regulations. The building had three staircases, two elevators, and five exits (two lateral and three central, each 2.10 m wide). Special lighting, ventilation, heating, and fire safety systems were executed by specialist firms. The façade featured Andalusian style with a Mediterranean appearance, pergolas, and semicircular arches with modern decoration. Two large towers decorated with latticework flanked the façade and housed the staircases. The entrance was through a three-arch opening on columns, above which was a cantilever with five semicircular-arch windows and a small covered terrace corresponding to the third floor. Considered the most modern "entertainment hall" in Spain when inaugurated, it opened on 24 September 1932 with the projection of "Shanghai Express," announced as a Spanish premiere. The terrace was perhaps the most "polite" summer cinema of the time due to its silence, and one of the most modern in the city, with a capacity for about 500 spectators, offering rocking chairs in addition to usual seats. The venue hosted theatrical performances, film screenings, concerts, rallies, and various events. It was one of the city's most important theatres and, in the 1980s, practically the only one after the closure of the Gran Teatro. The hall closed in the 1980s. In 1997, the Gerencia de Urbanismo ordered its closure due to its poor state. The building was acquired by the Ayuntamiento de Córdoba in 2004 for €2,464,000. On 20 January 2009, the remodelling project by Rafael de La-Hoz Castanys was presented, and works began in mid-June of the same year. The renovation cost approximately €3.8 million, financed by El Corte Inglés as compensation for the rehabilitation and expansion of its shopping centre on Calle Jesús María. The theatre reopened officially on 6 October 2011.

• 2011

  Theatre reopens officially on 6 October.

• 2009

  Remodelling project by Rafael de La-Hoz Castanys presented on 20 January; works begin mid-June.

• 2004

  Ayuntamiento de Córdoba acquires the building for €2,464,000.

• 1997

  Gerencia de Urbanismo orders closure due to poor condition.

• 1980

  The cinema hall closes.

• 1932

  Cine Góngora opens on 24 September with the Spanish premiere of "Shanghai Express."

• 1929

  Construction of Cine Góngora begins.

Historic municipal theatre and cultural venue in Córdoba, recognized for its rationalist architecture and central role in the city's performing arts scene.

• Theatre performances

• Film screenings

• Concerts

• Summer terrace cinema

1. 1Cine Góngora - Wikidatawikidata.org
2. 2Teatro Góngora - Wikipedia (Spanish)es.wikipedia.org