Cinema Dumont, Art Nouveau movie theater in Milan, Italy
Cinema Dumont is an Art Nouveau building in Milan with a rectangular form, floral ornaments on its facade, and decorative columns framing the entrance on Via Frisi. The structure displays typical characteristics of this architectural period, with refined details reflecting its role as one of the city's earliest dedicated cinema venues.
Built between 1908 and 1910 by architects Ferdinando Tettamanzi and Giovanni Mainetti, this structure was among Milan's first buildings designed specifically for cinema. The building survived World War II bombing intact and later served different functions before its current use.
The name Cinema Dumont was chosen to give the venue a refined European character during the early days of cinema. Today, this French-sounding title continues to convey the elegance and sophistication that the original programming aimed to project.
The entrance area now functions as the Venezia Library, while the former auditorium has been converted into a multilevel parking facility. Access and availability may vary depending on current use of these spaces.
After World War II, this building housed a Red Cross ambulance garage and later a car showroom before being adapted for its present use. This unexpected history shows how the original architectural design could be repurposed for entirely different functions.
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