Aigli Summer Cinema

Beside the Zappeion Exhibition Hall, Amalias Ave, c. 1913-1914


Built at the time of World War I, close to the National Gardens, the Aigli cinema in Zappeion was one of the first outdoor cinemas in Athens. It is situated in what is probably the most delightful leisure area in the Greek capital, which communicates visually with the Acropolis and the archaeological site of the Temple of Olympian Zeus.
Its initial form is not known. But similar facilities of the period, and the present-day remodelled Aigli give us a fairly good idea of its form. It was initially an outdoor rectangular space surrounded by a high wall. On one of its narrow sides was the entrance, with the ticket office, snack bar and projection room, while on the opposite side was the screen, built on classicising lines. The intervening space was occupied by the spectators’ seats interspersed with little tables.
The summer cinema is part of a leisure complex that includes a sweetshop and coffee shop with music and a restaurant. The complex was a favourite haunt of Athenians and has been a tourist attraction from the time it was built up to the present day.

TRANSPORTATION