Today the digital age and the intense competition may have made the 7th Art lose its romantic color, but in some corners of Athens, the heart of the old cinema is still beating.
Historical cinemas which played their first screenings decades ago are still here. And they offer a unique experience to the cinephile…
1. Aavora, 180 Hippocrates street – Exarchia District
Photo Source: AAVORA
Aavora cinema first operated in 1965. It changed owner once in 1983 and of particular interest is the history of its name. Its first owner decided to give it the name of an African palm tree because the two “a” in the series were ideal for appearing first on the alphabetical list of cinemas in the newspapers of the time. It has, of course, one projection room and offers the taste of another era.
2. Trianon, 21 Codrigonos street – in Athens
The Trianon cinema premiered in 1960 and has been operating non-stop ever since. Behind its long career was Leonidas Papageorgiou and his father from whom he received it. Today, the historical course of the cinema is continued by his sister and cousin with the same vision and passion, proving that the real cinema of old Athens still exists.
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3. Asty, 4 Korais street – Klafthmonos Square, in Athens
Photo Source: FILM POLICE
Undoubtedly one of the most historic cinemas in Athens. Asty is housed in a part of the basement of the building that is in 4 Korais Street and has been operating since 1939. During the German occupation part of the basement became a place of martyrdom for many freedom fighters. The Ministry of Culture categorized this part of the basement as a historical monument. In the 1950s and 1960s, the cinema experienced great fame. The projections were mainly of French-produced films. Today it offers cinephiles the quality of the good old cinema.
4. Palace, 109 Ymittos street – Pankrati District
Going to the movies is definitely a journey through time in itself. The Ciné Palace in Pakgrati District, first opened its doors in 1925, 94 years ago, and is the oldest cinema in Athens. Its biggest boom came in the 1950s-60s when queues formed in order to get in. Today it evokes nostalgia while unforgettable also remains the experience in its summer section.
External photography source: asty-cinema.gr
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Frequently Asked Questions
Athens is home to several legendary cinemas that have survived decades. The Palace cinema in Pankrati District is the oldest, opening in 1925. Other historic cinemas include Asty (opened 1939), Trianon (1960), and Aavora (1965). These venues continue to operate and offer visitors a glimpse into Athens' rich cinema history.
The Palace cinema is located at 109 Ymittos street in the Pankrati District of Athens. It first opened its doors in 1925, making it the oldest cinema in Athens. The cinema experienced its biggest boom during the 1950s-60s and still operates today, including a summer section that remains unforgettable for visitors.
Asty cinema, located at 4 Korais street in Klafthmonos Square, has been operating since 1939 and is one of Athens' most historic cinemas. During the German occupation, part of its basement became a place of martyrdom for freedom fighters. The Ministry of Culture designated this basement section as a historical monument. The cinema was particularly famous in the 1950s-60s for screening French films.
Aavora cinema, located at 180 Hippocrates street in Exarchia District, opened in 1965. Its first owner chose the name from an African palm tree because the two 'a' letters at the beginning were ideal for appearing first on the alphabetical list of cinemas in newspapers of that era. The cinema has one projection room and maintains the taste and character of another era.
Yes, Trianon cinema at 21 Codrigonos street in Athens has been operating non-stop since its premiere in 1960. Originally founded by Leonidas Papageorgiou and his father, it is now managed by his sister and cousin who continue the historical cinema's legacy with the same vision and passion, preserving the real cinema of old Athens.
