Berlin

Silent witness to the '20s: the Delphi Cinema

Image credit: ehemaliges-stummfilmkino-delphi.de

From the outside, it's just a very ordinary building on an even more ordinary street.

Inside, however, you'll find the stunning remains of the Delphi Cinema, a silent movie theatre that's truly one of Berlin's hidden gems.

One of the largest moviehouses anywhere when opened in 1929 (it could seat almost 900), the Delphi hosted glittering premieres and star-studded film events.

Image credits: ehemaliges-stummfilmkino-delphi.de

Damaged by an air raid during the final year of WWII, it finally closed its doors in 1959, and was used as a storage facility during the GDR era.

Even if the paintwork is now peeling and the auditorium patched with damp, it's still one of the world's best-preserved silent era cinemas, complete with original orchestra pit and a glorious, Art Deco arched stage.

Unfortunately, the fragile venue only intermittently opens its doors to visitors, but events are well worth waiting for, ranging from extravagant costumed balls to cinematic soirées with an arty twist.

Want to relive the golden age of the silver screen? Check out the Delphi's website or Facebook page for details.

See also:
Silent movies with live organ sound
Retro flirting in a Berlin dance hall
Back to the '20s in a Berlin bar

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