Rare architectural frame indeed. We are standing before what was once Teatrul de vară Alhambra. Today it is known as Grădina Cinema Capitol. It stands as a ruin in Bucharest’s heart. It reminds us of a bygone era. It reminds us of the belle époque.
Teatrul de vară Alhambra first opened its doors in 1916. It was located on Strada Sărindar. This street is now known as Constantin Mille. Nicolae Nenciulescu was the architect. He designed it in an eclectic style. Spiridon Georgescu created the sculptures and ornaments. The opening night featured the French film “Voyage dans la lune”. This marked the beginning of its story.
Fast forward to 1923. The house of Dr. Dobrovici was behind the open-air theater. It transformed into a foyer and cinema hall. It was named Cinema Clasic. By 1938, Cinema Clasic became Cinema Capitol. Architect Henrieta Delavrancea redefined the former house of Dr. Dobrovici. She used a modernist style. Teatrul de vară Alhambra kept its French eclectic appearance.
The year 1948 brought nationalization. The cinema and summer garden became state property. During the 1950s, it was briefly named “I. C. Frimu”. He was a hero of the communist movement. Sometime in the 1960s, it reverted to the name “Capitol”.
Around 1968, the summer garden closed. It shut down due to its degradation. The cinema on the boulevard continued to operate. The earthquake of 1977 damaged the building’s structure. Repairs and additions were made to the cinema building.
After 2000, the garden remained closed. It fell into disrepair. Steel and weeds filled the space. The stage ornaments severely degraded. Unconventional plays were rarely performed here.
Today, projections still occur sometimes. They happen amidst the same degraded scenery. There are no more seats in the amphitheater. The entire structure is unstable.
The building belongs to Regia Autonomă de Distribuție și Exploatare a Filmelor. This is RomaniaFilm. They allegedly leased it to a company. They receive only a few hundred euros annually in rent. The agency lacks funds to restore the ensemble. It would require almost 5 million euros.
Teatrul de vară Alhambra, once a glory of Bucharest’s cinemas is now at the mercy of a small company. The company does nothing. It has no restoration projects for the historical monuments it theoretically manages. They invited a street artist. He painted something on the garden gates. This intervention now defines the place. It appears in photos on Instagram.
In recent years, some have tried to revive Teatrul de vară Alhambra. Save or Cancel, a media agency, ran a campaign. It raised awareness of national cultural heritage. They organized events and collaborations. These efforts temporarily boosted public attention. An ideas competition sought ways to revitalize the summer garden. All this highlighted the potential. The potential was for an independent cultural hub.
In mid-June 2021, the Independent Elisabeta Theater Association began rehabilitating the space. News articles appeared. They described plans to restore the garden. They promised film screenings, theater, and music performances.
However, controversy arose. The Elisabeta Theater Association began work without authorization. Critics argued that they were endangering the site. They also risked public safety. They rushed repairs without proper expertise.
Despite these challenges, Teatrul de vară Alhambra stands. It stands as a testament to Bucharest’s cultural history. It waits for a future. Hopefully a future where its former glory will be revived.