The Teatro y Cine Variedades in downtown San José is more than 100 years old, 119 in fact. But, on Friday it was the scene of modernization, with the showing of its first ever 3D movie.
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Inside a theatre, consisting mainly of wood and metal construction, built in a different era is a contradiction of time and space when combined with apopcorn machine and three dimensional movie on the screen - like living a combination of various ages in one place.
And although on the screen is the latest technology in movie going, the structure holds the memories of another time.
The construction of theatre began in 1890 and the first phase finished in 1892, built as a showroom. The theatre today stands as it was n 1914, the last date of the major remodeling.
It was in the Variedades that Costa Rica first began showing movies, screening some of the best movies even seen in Costa Rica.
In 1917, Mario Urbini, an Italian lover of movies began to rent out the theatre and later buying it outright. He purchased the building from Tomás García, who at the time owned the entire block around the theatre. Today, it is still in the hands of the Urbini family, ownership passing to Mario's daughter, Nora.
The theatre, located one block north of the east side of the Teatro Nacional on Calle 3 and declared a "Patrimonio Histórico Arquitectónico" (Architectural Heritage) in 1999.
And although on the screen is the latest technology in movie going, the structure holds the memories of another time.
The construction of theatre began in 1890 and the first phase finished in 1892, built as a showroom. The theatre today stands as it was n 1914, the last date of the major remodeling.
It was in the Variedades that Costa Rica first began showing movies, screening some of the best movies even seen in Costa Rica.
In 1917, Mario Urbini, an Italian lover of movies began to rent out the theatre and later buying it outright. He purchased the building from Tomás García, who at the time owned the entire block around the theatre. Today, it is still in the hands of the Urbini family, ownership passing to Mario's daughter, Nora.
The theatre, located one block north of the east side of the Teatro Nacional on Calle 3 and declared a "Patrimonio Histórico Arquitectónico" (Architectural Heritage) in 1999.
This is a beautifully restored, classically elegant theater. Which attests to how the Costa Ricans love their drama!
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