Urania National Film Theater

"ompleted in the mid-1890s, this architectural gem originally served as an orpheum before evolving into one of the city's most renowned cinematic venues. Initially named Caprice, and later Alhambra, the theater's transition to a film venue came in 1899 when it was equipped with projection technology and renamed the Uránia Science Theater. It was here, on the rooftop terrace in 1901, that Hungary's first motion picture, A táncz (The Dance), was filmed, marking a significant moment in Hungarian cinema history, although no copies of the film are known to have survived. By 1916, Uránia shifted its focus entirely to film screenings, eventually phasing out its earlier science lectures. During the Soviet era, the theater operated under Sovexport but was returned to Hungarian control after World War II. Today, Uránia remains a prominent cinema in Budapest, offering several screens in addition to its grand main hall, which can accommodate 460 people. The main hall is no less magnificent than a classical opera house, featuring beautifully restored boxes and a balcony. The theater's legacy is honored through its connection to iconic cinematic works, with sections named after legendary films such as Casablanca (1942), Merry-Go-Round (1955), and Hyppolit, the Butler (1931), alongside its historical ties to The Dance (1901). The Uránia National Film Theater remains a cultural landmark, seamlessly blending Budapest’s rich architectural heritage with its vibrant cinematic history."