The first cinema of Rostov-on-Don, Art Nouveau cinema on Bolshaya Sadovaya Street, Russia.
The first cinema of Rostov-on-Don is a two-story Art Nouveau building on Bolshaya Sadovaya Street with large windows and elaborate stone decorations. The facade displays Hermes heads as keystones and pillars decorated with caduceus motifs, while shops occupy the ground floor and cinema halls operate above.
The building was constructed in 1898 by architect E.M. Gulin and quickly became a center for modern entertainment. In 1904 it opened under R. Shtremer's management as one of Southern Russia's earliest cinema venues showing electrokinematograph films.
The building reflects early 1900s entertainment culture and how Rostov embraced theatrical and cinema experiences as part of urban life. The combination of ground-level shops with upstairs performance spaces shows how commercial and cultural activities were integrated into daily routines.
The building sits in a central location on a busy street and remains easily accessible to pedestrians exploring the area. Visitors can view the elaborate facade from the street and also browse shops occupying the ground floor.
The second floor features specially designed windows where the central window includes a loggia with a small balcony, and each window is richly ornamented. These carefully crafted details reveal how early cinemas prioritized comfortable viewing experiences through thoughtful architectural design.
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