Kinoteatr Rialto

Kinoteatr Rialto is a historic cinema located at ulica św. Jana 24 in Katowice, Poland. It first opened on 15 January 1913 as Kammerlichtspiele, promoted as the largest and most elegant cinema in Silesia. The building was constructed by Katowice master builder Martin Tichauer for the merchant Berthold Kochmann. In 1928 the cinema was renamed Rialto, and in 1930 it underwent its first modernization, including a new façade and sound equipment. During the German occupation (1939–1945) it operated as UFA-Theater Rialto. After World War II it resumed operations under the name Rialto and was managed by the state. In the 1950s it was rebuilt with a black glass façade and a neon sign. In the early 21st century, the Silesia-Film institution modernised three Katowice cinemas, including Rialto, which reopened in September 2005 as a multi-functional film theatre. In October 2006 it joined the Sieć Kin Studyjnych i Lokalnych (Network of Studio and Local Cinemas), and in October 2013 it joined the Europa Cinemas network. The cinema hosts film screenings, theatre performances, concerts, festivals, and educational programmes. It is the organiser of the Katowice Mountain Film Review and runs regular series such as Rialto DOCumentalnie, Scena Muzyczna Rialto, KOK – Kobiety Oblegają Kino, Wielka Sztuka w Kinoteatrze Rialto, and Lekcje Filmowe. It also has a Filmowy Klub Seniora (Senior Film Club). The building is a three-storey classicist structure with a footprint of 774 m².

The origins of Kinoteatr Rialto date back to the early 20th century in Katowice. On 7 November 1912, master builder Martin Tichauer registered a cinema company with the aim of building a large cinema; the company included Katowice merchant Berthold Kochmann, owner of the plot at what is now ulica św. Jana. The building was erected the same year. The cinema opened on 15 January 1913 as Kammerlichtspiele, advertised as the largest and most elegant cinema in Silesia. It had an 800-seat auditorium, a podium for a twenty-piece orchestra, and on the upper floor a cigar smoking room, wine bar, and beer bar. It showed only premiere films and also organised open-air screenings. In 1928, influenced by a sanitation campaign to remove German from public life, the venue was renamed Rialto. In the same year, a competing cinema, Capitol, opened nearby. The first modernization was completed in 1930: the façade was rebuilt, the Kammerlichtspiele sign was replaced with Rialto, seating was increased to 1050, and sound equipment was installed. On 17 December 1929, the first sound film screening in the Polish part of Upper Silesia took place here (The Singing Fool). In 1938, the then lessees changed the name to Słońce to avoid paying overdue taxes. During the German occupation (1939–1945), it was renamed UFA-Theater Rialto; the repertoire included feature films, comedies, and musicals, and screenings were preceded by German war newsreels. Only Germans and Volksdeutsche were admitted. After World War II, the cinema resumed operations in 1945 under the name Rialto and was placed under state management. In the 1950s it was rebuilt: the façade was covered with black glass and a neon sign was installed above the entrance. On 29 April 1959, the reopening was celebrated with the premiere of the first Polish western, Rancho Texas, directed by Wadim Berestowski. During the Polish People's Republic, Rialto and Zorza were the most prestigious premiere cinemas in Katowice. In the early 21st century, the Silesia-Film institution began modernising three Katowice cinemas: Światowid, Rialto, and Kosmos. Work on Rialto took place in 2004–2005, restoring the interwar façade, rebuilding the screen and stage, and renovating the interiors. Rialto reopened in September 2005 as a multi-functional film theatre with a dominant cinema function. In October 2006 it joined the Network of Studio and Local Cinemas. At the end of 2012, the cinema technology was modernised, including a new projection booth, a 4K digital projector, and a Harkness Hall silver screen. In January 2013 the cinema celebrated its centenary with an exhibition of old photographs and the premiere of a film about its history, Teatr niknących obrazów, directed by Dagmara Drzazga. In 2019, further modernization was completed, including renovated interiors, art déco wallpaper in the foyer, and a refreshed main auditorium.

• 2019

  Further modernization of interiors completed.

• 2013

  Centenary celebrated in January; joins Europa Cinemas in October.

• 2012

  Cinema technology modernised with 4K projector and silver screen.

• 2006

  Joins Sieć Kin Studyjnych i Lokalnych in October.

• 2005

  Reopens in September as multi-functional film theatre after modernization.

• 1959

  Reopening after rebuild; premiere of Rancho Texas on 29 April.

• 1945

  Resumes operations as Rialto under state management.

• 1939

  Renamed UFA-Theater Rialto during German occupation.

• 1938

  Renamed Słońce by lessees.

• 1930

  First modernization completed; seating increased to 1050.

• 1929

  First sound film screening in Polish Upper Silesia on 17 December.

• 1928

  Renamed Rialto.

• 1913

  Cinema opens on 15 January as Kammerlichtspiele.

• 1912

  Martin Tichauer registers a cinema company; building erected at ulica św. Jana.

A historic studio cinema and multi-functional film theatre offering diverse cultural events, part of the Europa Cinemas network.

• Film screenings

• Theatre performances

• Concerts

• Film festivals

• Educational programmes

1. 1Strona główna - Kinoteatr Rialtorialto.katowice.pl
2. 2Kinoteatr Rialto - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Kinoteatr Rialto - Wikipediapl.wikipedia.org