If the “Odeon” was larger with its 2300 seats, “La Gran Guardia” was the more noble of our movie theaters. It was built during the reconstruction of the area of “Via Grande”, almost destroyed during the air raids of the last war.
“La Gran Guardia” was inaugurated in 1954 and, with its 1300 seats and a great acoustic, was the venue of choice not only for movies, but for theater, concerts and even operas.
The curious name, which literally means Big Guard, comes from a nearby old station of the guards called in the same way.
The theater closed in 2005, the same year of the “Odeon”, but at least there are no cars in its future: within months an international retail-clothing company will open a huge store on the premises.
We all wish well to this theater in its new incarnation; it was so sad to see this place as it was for the last time.See also: Cinema Odeon
Love these images VP, nothing better than to see a grand theater go back to life!
ReplyDeleteThat's a shame. Looks like it was a great place to watch movies.
ReplyDeleteHow impressive a sight indeed. Feels sad indeed, and a bit difficult to believe that city authorities did allow.
ReplyDeletePlease have a good Friday.
Very sad, but as you say it will not become a parking garage! So empty, so alone, joining hundreds of theaters around the world that are...gone!
ReplyDeleteSad that it cannot return to its former glory.
ReplyDeleteNice photos. I really like the last one.
ReplyDeleteIf old theatres like this hold on long enough, the circle will be completed and they might go back to become theatres again.
ReplyDeleteKind of sad to know that this beautiful place will no longer be a theatre. All the gorgeous ones are gone here too. MB
ReplyDeleteGrand indeed. So good that you have a photo record of its previous grandeur.
ReplyDeleteI love all those mythical creatures.
Hard to imagine a clothing store instead. sigh
tanti ricordi di bambina alla gran guardia....i film di disney, la pizza con la spuma da lilly...ma sai che quasi quasi mi dispiace che arrivi un'altro mega store di abbigliamento? mah... almeno non andrà alla malora...
ReplyDeletebuona pasqua!
Nutro una grande tristezza quando sento che viene chiuso uno storico cinema-teatro, a mio avviso l'amministrazione comunale avrebbe dovuto comprare i locali e ristrutturarlo per lasciare ai posteri un'interessante memoria del passato!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteAll shots are fantastic! Glad you were able to freeze the theater before it's all gone. So sad...
ReplyDeleteIt's such a pretty place! That's too bad about it being torn down. Thank you for showing us one last time :-D
ReplyDeleteVery pretty, great images, love the details and the light!
ReplyDeleteYeah, like the world needs another retail shop. NOT! One day losing this theatre this will generate regrets. Nice shots, VP.
ReplyDeleteSometimes "progress" does not seem to make good sense.
ReplyDeleteLooks like a wonderful place to see a film, shame it will be no longer..
ReplyDelete