Moscow Cinema (Saint Petersburg)

The Moscow cinema, a historical landmark in Saint Petersburg, is notable for being the first three-hall cinema in the USSR, designed by architect Lazar Khidekel in the late 1930s. Built on the site of the demolished Church of St. Catherine, the cinema features a striking façade with a portico adorned with granite pylons and a unique bas-relief. Inside, the lobby is lined with greenish artificial marble, leading to three halls that can each accommodate 400 viewers, allowing for continuous film showings. The building's design is architecturally significant, as its structure relies on the ground rather than traditional load-bearing walls. Following various ownership changes and renovation plans, the cinema remains a cultural hub, with ongoing efforts to restore its interiors and adapt its spaces for theater and exhibitions.