Tag: theater

Island Style

©2020 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

There are many architectural highlights that visitors must check out while in Key West.

Hemingway House, Truman’s Little White House, Key West Lighthouse…just to name a few.

While these are amazing attractions, one of the best things to do is set out on foot and discover all of the small historic sites that are scattered throughout the city. As my husband and I made our way throughout the island, we encountered many homes, theaters, bars, churches, boats, gardens and other structures that give Key West its charm and style.

Shopping

You can start emptying your pocketbook in Mallory Square. There are a great many souvenir shops located here as well as local vendors, street performers and live music. The Key West Aquarium is positioned here and it is the starting point for the Old Town Trolley Tours. If setting out on foot is not your forte, then hop on board the trolley and see the city! If you do decide to take your own walking tour, make sure to watch out for the markers on some of the historic sites. You can call the number listed at the bottom of the marker for free audio description.

Restaurants and Bars

Just around the corner from Mallory Square your will find El Meson De Pepe restaurant. While the Cuban food was good, what I enjoyed most was the interior. The restaurant is filled with murals and art by Mario Sanchez, information on author Jose Marti and even an antique airplane hanging above diners! Since I had been to Cuba a few months prior, it felt very familiar and comfortable.

Sloppy Joe’s Bar and Restaurant is a favorite on Duval Street. Touted as a Key West tradition, it is usually filled with revelers until the early hours of the morning. Because of Covid restrictions, it was extremely quiet while we were visiting as was many of the numerous bars and restaurants that line the famed street. However, we have been there on other visits and it is one of the highlights if partying is your thing!

Churches

The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea was one of the churches that I had marked high on my to-do list while in Key West. Adjacent to the Convent of Mary Immaculate, built by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary in 1878, the church dates back to 1905. The church is a single nave structure and decorated quite simply with touches of gold and light blue, paying homage to the sea. There is a beautiful stained glass window located above the altar and some nice sculptures scattered throughout. Since the church is not air conditioned, the many sets of double doors that line each side of the church are opened for the comfort of the parishioners.

As we walked down Duval Street, we encountered St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. Though we only were able to admire the structure from the outside, we did learn that this church was preceded by three others on this historic site. The first and third was destroyed by hurricanes in 1846 and 1909 and the second was devastated by the Great Fire of 1886. This church was completed in 1919 and designed to stand the test of time and nature.

Historical Homes

On many of Key West’s main and side streets, you can find beautiful, historic homes of great significance. Whitehead Street boasts the Philip L. Cosgrove House, dating back to 1872. This house once belonged to Captain Philip L. Cosgrove, Sr. who commanded the U.S. lighthouse tender Mangrove, the first rescue ship to aid victims of the 1898 explosion of the U.S.S. Maine in Havana harbor. Incorporating the former house of federal judge James Locke, the house was expanded to two and a half stories in the Greek Revival style.

A few steps away from the Cosgrove House is the William Lowe Delaney/Theodore Holtsberg House which has a long line of owners dating back to 1844. The first owner, Benjamin Sawyer, built the first house on the property for his family and also used the structure for Key West’s port business until the completion of the Customs House. The next owner, Deputy Custom Collector William Lowe Delaney bought the property from Sawyer’s widow and built the house that stands today, a two story, Queen Anne revival with an asymmetrical floor plan. The home was transferred to Lavinia Artolozaga in 1918 upon Delaney’s death, and then again in 1925 to Romanian immigrant Theodore Holtsbert, one of the island’s first Jewish immigrants. Today, the home is part of the Banyan resort.

At the head of Whitehead Street is the Audubon House and Tropical Gardens. The house was built in 1830 by Captain John H. Geiger, pilot and master wrecker. The house was dedicated in 1960 by Mitchell Wolfson, to act as public museum to be named Audubon House commemorating John James Audubon’s visit to the island in 1832 to study the key’s birds.

Alexander Cruz/Julia Gardner House is located on the corner of Eaton and Whitehead Streets. A three story cigar factory was built on the site in 1889 by the Cruz Brothers, Andres, Alexander and Jose. Acting as a business and residence for the family the cigar factory was then bought by Alexander in 1900 where he then erected a two and a half story Neoclassical home in 1904. Fourteen years later, Julia Gardner, daughter of prominent land owner Richard Henry Albury, purchased the residence and lived there for thirty years.

On Duval Street, the Martin Hellings House was constructed in 1892 by Captain Martin L. Hellings and is one of only a few homes that was not built during the Civil War. Hellings, accepted the position of cable manager of the International Ocean Telegraph Company in Key West, an important position as telegraphs were the means of rapid long distance communication. Upon his death in 1908, the house was converted into offices and then purchased by the Key West Woman’s Club which later converted it into a public library.

Government Buildings and Museums

One of the most beautiful landmarks in Key West is located on Duval street. Founded in 1871 by Cuban exiles as an educational, civic and patriotic center, the multi-purpose facility serves as a museum, library, art gallery, theater and school. The famed Jose Marti united the exile community in 1892 and affectionately referred to the San Carlos as “La Casa Cuba”.

On Simonton, between Eaton and Caroline Streets, you can find the Federal Courthouse, which also houses the Social Security Administration and U.S. District Court. The building, as evidenced by the wording on the face of the building, acted as the Customs House.

On Front Street, you can find the Key West Museum of Art and History at the Custom House, built in 1891, which also acted as the island’s custom office, postal service and district courts. This four story construction was built in the Romanesque style and was the site of many significant historical events. In later years, it was transferred to the United States Navy and then abandoned for almost twenty years. It was purchased by the State of Florida in 1991 and leased to the Key West Art and Historical Society for use as a museum. Visitors can now experience two floors of exhibitions which tell the tale of Key West’s history, art and people.

The Monroe County Courthouse, located on Fleming Street, was completed in 1890 in a traditional county courthouse style and features a 100 foot tall clock tower that can be seen from almost any part of the island. Make sure to check out the massive Kapok (or Ceilba tree), located in front of the courthouse.

The Southernmost House holds the distinction of being (yes, you guessed it) the southernmost house in the United States. The house is located near the Southernmost Point attraction and although it acts as a hotel, it also acts as a museum with displays of collections of important and interesting documents, many signed by presidents of the United States, including John F. Kennedy’s inaugural address. Even if you don’t have time to visit the museum, take the time to inspect this impressive Queen Anne Victorian architectural gem.

If you are a maritime enthusiast, you can visit the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum, on the waterfront near Fort Zachary Taylor. The museum ship served during WWII and Vietnam and is the most decorated ship in the United States service. It was the last American Warship afloat to have sunk a German U-Boat and you can learn about its illustrious history in its exhibit room. We took a quick picture in front of the cutter, however, we planned to return at the end of the day on Friday or Saturday…this ship is known for being one of the best places to view the beautiful Key West sunsets…and it serves wine and beer!

Other Historic Structures and Attractions

If you are an Ernest Hemingway fan, of course, you would visit his former home. If that leaves you wanting more, take a walk on Simonton Street and check out the Old Trev-more Hotel where Hemingway and his wife stayed in 1928. It was here where he penned Farewell to Arms from his second story room. In 1978, the hotel was converted to a private residence and renamed Casa Antigua.

There are two prominent art-deco style theaters in the historic district of Key West. The Key West Theater, originally built in 1848 as the First Baptist Church of Key West, has also operated as a dance club and concert venue. Today, it now operates as a performing arts center.

Further down Eaton Street is Tropic Cinema. Of the two, this is the one to take a moment to see. Showing independent movies on four screens, this cinema’s exterior is beautifully styled with neon signs and a statue of Marilyn Monroe standing over a vent, dress blowing surrounded by a sidewalk interspersed with stars.

Finally, at the end of your days (if you still have the stamina), venture down to the Historic Seaport Harbor Walk where you can have drinks and dinner, gaze (wistfully) at the beautiful boats, people watch and then wander over to nearby Sunset Pier to watch the awesome sunsets that grace Key West’s skies on most evenings.

The style of Key West, both natural and man made, can’t be beat!

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Mallory Square

El Meson de Pepe Restaurant

Sloppy Joe’s Bar

The Basilica of St. Mary Star of the Sea

  • https://stmarykeywest.com/
  • Address: 1010 Windsor Lane, Key West, Florida 33040
  • Hours: Monday-Friday, 0900-1500, Saturday, 0900-1400, Sunday, after all masses
  • Admission: free

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

Philip L. Cosgrove House

Address: 323 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040

William Lowe Delaney/Theodore Holtsberg House

  • Address: 323 Whitehead Street, Key West FL 33040

Audubon House and Tropical Garden

  • http://audubonhouse.com
  • Address: 205 Whitehead Street, Key West, Florida 33040
  • Hours: 0930-1615, Monday -Sunday
  • Admission: free (not verified)

Alexander Cruz/Julia Gardner House

  • Address: 403 Eaton Street, Key West FL 33040

Martin Hellings House

  • Address: 319 Duval Street, Key West, Florida 33040

San Carlos Institute

Customs House and Museum

  • https://www.kwahs.org/museums/custom-house/visit
  • Address: 281 Front Street, Key West, Florida 33040
  • Hours: 1000-1600, daily
  • Admission: Adults, $16.00 ($14.40 online), Senior/Local/College ID/Retired Military, $12.00 ($10.30 online), Youth (ages 7-18), $8.00 ($6.30 online), Children (under 7), free, Military, free

Monroe County Courthouse

Southernmost House

U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Ingham Maritime Museum

  • https://www.uscgcingham.org/
  • Address: Truman Waterfront On The Western Edge of Key West Foot of Southard Street at new Park Seawall, Key West, FL 33040
  • Hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 1000-1600
  • Admission: Adults (ages 13+), $10.00, Children (ages 7-12), $5.00, Children (under 6), free, Active Military, $5.00

Casa Antigua

Key West Theater

  • https://thekeywesttheater.com/
  • Address: 512 Eaton Street, Key West, Florida 33040
  • Hours: vary according to events scheduled
  • Admission: varies according to event

Tropic Cinema

The Heart of the City

©2020 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

In most Spanish cities, there is a main square.

The Plaza Mayor.

There are exceptions to the rule, however. In Granada, the main square is the Bib Rambla, but the Plaza Mayors in Madrid and Salamanca are two of the most famous. Having visited Madrid’s main square many times, it was no surprise to find that Segovia, too, had a square by the same name and I could not pass up the chance to discover what made this one stand apart from the others that I had visited in the past.

As I made my way down Calle Real, one of the most famous streets in Segovia, I suddenly found myself in the heart of the city. This square, under the watchful eye of the city’s magnificent cathedral, boasts several other important buildings such as the Town Hall, the Juan Bravo Theater and the San Miguel Church. There is also a small bandstand located in the middle of the plaza where the occasional musicians pound out a tune and around which the Segovian people have social gatherings and festivities.

Cathedral of Segovia
Town Hall

Segovia’s Plaza Mayor was built in the 17th century as the center of the village where vendors set up their stands and citizens socialized and met. The Town Hall, (17th century), flanks the north side of the square and is the location of the majority of all Segovian events. The church of San Miguel, with its beautifully colored spire, was rebuilt in 1558 and was the location where Isabel was proclaimed Queen of Castile. I had been excited to visit this church with its Rubens painting and baroque altarpieces, however, due to the early hour, I found the door locked.

Church of San Miguel

The Juan Bravo Theater, one of the newer buildings that sit on the square, was constructed in 1917 and is used by both locals and tourists for various performances.

Juan Bravo Theater

This city square has changed names many times over the years. It was first called the Plaza Mayor upon its conception and then, during the Bourbon Restoration, Plaza de la Constitution. It was changed to Plaza de Franco after the Civil War and then changed again to its original name, Plaza Mayor at the end of Francisco Franco’s dictatorship.

As in the past, there are many outdoor cafes, shops arcades and hotels that surround the square and this is a place where you can spot many tourists who visit the city. Fiestas, such as the Frutos de Segovia, and the traditional fairs of San Juan held until the day of San Pedro on June 29 and participants can enjoy traditional fairs, folk walks, illuminations and fireworks.

It was much more of an open space than the Plaza Mayor in Madrid and extremely peaceful, especially during a day in winter, when the city is not filled with tourists seeking out its wonders. It was a mild February day when I was visiting, so I decided to sit outside and enjoy the comings and goings of the locals, while enjoying lunch and keeping an eye on the beauty of the Segovia Cathedral which was on my list of places to visit.

Ancient Segovians may have known this place by a different name, however, regardless of what alias this main plaza goes by, it can really only be known as one thing…

The heart of the city.

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Plaza Mayor

  • Address: Plaza Mayor 11, Segovia
  • Hours: 24 hours, daily
  • Admission: free

Church of San Miguel

  • Address: Calle Infanta Isabel 6, 40001, Segovia
  • Hours: 1100-1700, Tuesday to Sunday.
  • Admission: free

Town Hall

  • http://www.segovia.es/
  • Address: Mayor Square 1, 40001, Segovia
  • Hours: 0900-1400, Monday-Friday. Closed Saturday and Sunday
  • Admission: free

Juan Bravo Theater

The Imposter

©2020 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

The Roman Colosseum is a major landmark known throughout the world.

The Jewish Colosseum. Never heard of it…not as it is called and not by its actual name either.

For as many visits as I have had to Rome, this spectacular piece of architecture had never been on my radar, despite walking in the area many times.

The former monument once held 55,000 spectators and is visited by thousands of tourists and bordered by Arch of Constantine and the Roman Forum. It is one of the landmarks that most visitors to Rome aspire to visit, along with the Pantheon, the Vatican, the Trevi Fountain and the Roman Forum.

The Jewish Colosseum, or Theatre of Marcellus, a smaller colosseum, once held 13,000 spectators and is tucked away behind the Altare de Patria. Not many tourists actively seek it out, some merely stumbling upon it while walking a path from the Capitoline Hill area to the river.

Many, however, confuse the two.

Located in the Jewish Quarter of Rome, the Theatre of Marcellus is a bit of an impostor…well, only for those, not in the know! There are actually many differences!

Those of us who are familiar with the original, easily recognize the differences between the two, but it is easy to understand that many who are first-timers to Rome or see pictures of the theater may be easily confused.

The theater, erected in the 1st century BC, was originally conceived by Julius Caesar and then recommenced by Octavian Augustus after Caesar’s death. It was built on the remains of the ancient Circus Flaminius (221 BC) which was used as a marketplace and for assemblies and many porticoes and temples filled the area. At first glance, it appears to be quite similar to the Colosseum, with both being constructed with three floors of arcades, however, only the two-story fragment on the theater has survived the test of time and modern construction. Located in the Jewish Ghetto area of Rome, it has become known as the Jewish Colosseum.

As I walked along the Via del Foro Piscario, examining the Temple of Apollo Sosianus, it was surprising to see this lesser version of the structure that once hosted the mighty gladiator games.

It was impressive to see the Theatre of Marcellus at close range, however, the structure is not open to visitors and I had to be content to walk along its perimeter. As I made my way around the formation, however, I was bewildered to see that the arcades stopped abruptly. Instead of the characteristic network of arches, corridors, tunnels and ramps that form part of the structure, there were smooth walls and modern windows.

As I retraced my steps, to re-examine the facade, I began to notice the two-stories of arcades, not three. There were windows and a modern walls and windows topping the structure. Not at all like the Roman colosseum!

Of course, every city develops over time and some ancient monuments are destroyed or concealed when modernization occurs. The theater, which once hosted live performances, was reconstructed during the Middle Ages. The top tier of seating was removed and the residence of the Orsini was built atop the ruins during the 16th century.

What I was now seeing was the Palazzo Orsini and a series of apartments and behind the theater were more ruins next to the church of San Nicola in Carcere (added to my list of future churches to visit!).

Walking back to the open area and ascending the steps, I was rewarded with remarkable views of not only this impostor Colosseum, but the entire area of relics, including the Portico of Ottavia and the Temple of Apollo Sosianus.

How had I never know this existed?

I guess I am not alone, but more people should seek out this special area of Rome, rich in history and architecure.

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Teatro Marcello

  • Address: Teatro di Marcello Street, 00186 Rome
  • Hours: 24 hours, daily. Exterior view only.
  • Admission: free
  • Getting There: Bus, Teatro Marcello/Ara Coeli stop, Lines 30, 44, 51, 63, 81, 83, 85, 87, 118

The Portico, The Church and The Temple

©2020 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Seeking out adventure in Italy is easy.

So, while in Rome, when a friend asked me to rent a car and drive to some nearby cities, I was tempted. Very tempted.

Problem was, I had promised my cousin that I would seek out some special rosaries in Vatican City that he had asked me to purchase!

What to do? What to do?

Always striving to keep my promises and pleased to have such an important errand for the day, I headed out into the beautiful afternoon in search of the religious treasures he was seeking. After many religious shops and several texts, I finally found what he was requesting, made the purchases and then walked out past St. Peter’s Basilica.

Not really having a plan for the rest of the afternoon, of which I still had much time, I headed toward the Tiber River and walked southeast, soaking up the warm sun, which was casting its brilliant rays on the swift moving waters. As I neared Tiber Island, I decided to take a left away from my original trek, not really sure where my path was leading.

Striding up the Via del Portico d’Ottavia an area of the city I had never transited, I encountered a large tour group standing in front of the facade of a lofty ruined structure. Not sure what I was viewing, I made my way down the ramp to study the signage and learned that what I was standing in front of was the Portico of Octavia, an ancient structure built by Augustus in the name of his sister, Octavia Minor after 27 BC. The structure was used as a fish market until the end of the 19th century and the colonnaded walks enclosed the temples of Jupiter Stator and Juno Regina as well as a library.

The church of Sant’Angelo in Pescheria is built into the ruins and as I made my way across the walkway, I entered this religious temple.

Famous for the ruined portico as its narthex, the church was originally dedicated to St. Paul and then later, St. Michael. Rebuilt during the Middle ages, the church was used as the headquarters for the Confraternity of Fishmongers. A reconstruction on the right hand aisle, for their use, resulted in the Chapel of St. Andrew, the patron saint of fisherman. Interestingly enough, the fishmongers became dissatisfied with their small chapel and built their own church next door, Sant’Andrea dei Pescivendoli, which is now deconsecrated. The chapel is one of the treasures of the church and decorated in gilded stucco and frescoed panels. The panels on the ceiling show events in the life of St. Andrew and fish are featured throughout. The panels flanking the altar, date back to 1598, and feature St. Francis of Assisi on the left and St. Francis of Rome on the right. You can also spot the Contrafraternity’s shield on the marble floor which features a deer, a pair of geese and a large sturgeon.

The left side aisle was once dedicated to Our Lady of Graces but is now graced by a modern crucifix decorated with a bronze sculpture. The altar contains an opening which allows a glimpse of the relics of the martyrs Cyrus and John of Alexandria which were brought from the church of Santa Passera in the 14th century. On the altar, you can also find the relics of the martyred Saint Symphorosa and her comanions.

As I turned to face the rear of the church, I was confronted with the gallery which houses the original organ installed in the 18th century. It is not in very good condition and therefore, unplayable.

The church now used by the Communita Maria, a Marian lay worshiping community, is often frequented by those visiting the ruins of the Portico. The front door is often not open, as it was on my visit, however, you can use the walkway to the left of the portico. This passes through to the Via Sant’Angelo in Pescheria, a dead-end street, where you can find the most commonly used entrance to the church on the right. This was the doorway that I exited and I made my way around to the front of the portico once again.

Heading down to the Via del Foro Pescario, I marveled at the ruins that littered the sides of the ancient street. On the right, I encountered the remains of the Temple of Apollo Medicus Sosianus, the Roman temple dedicated to Apollo, whose full name is derived from its final rebuilder, Gaius Sosianus. Some may recognize Sosianus as the person responsible for placing Herod on the throne of Jerusalem.

I gazed up at the only parts remaining of the temple, three columns that form the front right-hand corner of the temple, which was restored in 353 BC and 179 BC. The temple originally displayed six columns on the front, two at the side and seven more attached to the inner chamber wall. The chamber was once decorated with colored marbled and contained a large collection of marble statues, all relating to Apollo. Several relics from the temple can be seen in the Central Montemartini Museum.

Though I knew that I was near Palatine Hill and the Capitoline Museums, areas I was familiar with, I was struck that I had never encountered this little slice of history.

And as I turned to the right, my bearings were even more disconcerted.

The colosseum was here?

To be continued…

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Portico di Ottavia

  • Address: Via del Portico d’Ottavia, 29, 00186 Rome
  • Hours: Summer, 0900-1900, Winter, 0900-1800
  • Admission: free
  • Getting There: Bus, Teatro Marcello/Ara Coeli stop, Lines 30, 44, 51, 63, 81, 83, 85, 87, 118

Church of Sant’Angelo in Pescheria

  • Address: Via della Tribuna di Campitelli, 00186 Rome
  • Hours: unknown
  • Admission: free
  • Getting There: Bus, Teatro Marcello/Ara Coeli stop, Lines 30, 44, 51, 63, 81, 83, 85, 87, 118

Temple of Apollo Medicus Sosianus

  • Address: Via del Teatro di Marcello, 42, 00186 Rome
  • Hours: Summer, 0900-1900, Winter, 0900-1800
  • Admission: free
  • Getting There: Bus, Teatro Marcello/Ara Coeli stop, Lines 30, 44, 51, 63, 81, 83, 85, 87, 118

It’s All In the Details

© 2018 Snapping the Globe, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

Amsterdam layovers with more than twenty-four hours, usually involve trains to other parts of the country.

This time it involved a movie theater.

Learning of the Pathé Tuschinski, I was intrigued by the pictures of its grand art deco and gothic exterior with its two towers flanking the entrance.  Making my way through the city, I soon found myself at the Rembrantplein and following the tram tracks down Reguliersbreestraat, I was standing before a most magnificent piece of architecture.

Having heard about the theater’s self-guided audio tour, I paid for my ticket, donned my headphones and went back in time to 1921.

In the early 1900s, Polish jeweler, Abraham Icek Tuschinski, on his way to America was sidelined in Rotterdam.  After successfully opening four theaters there, he was determined to build his crowning masterpiece in Amsterdam.

The Tuschinski theater, based on designs by architect H.L. Dejong, opened its doors on October 28, 1921.  Although the interior was designed by Pieter den Besten and Jaap Gidding, Tuschinski was involved in all aspects of the theater’s design and construction and was inspired to bring a place of luxury and comfort to his patrons. The theater, a mix of many styles including Amsterdam School, Art Nouveau and Art Deco was built to a staggering sum of four million guilders.

Beginning with the lobby, I marveled at the domed ceiling with its eddy of ever-changing color as I was informed by my audio guide to search through the reds and golds of the lobby’s rich wall-coverings to find the paradise birds and peacocks, relish the richness of the Moroccan handwoven carpet and to venerate the lavish bar of bronze and marble.

The audio guide led me up the stairs and to the various parts of the theater, including the VIP room, the secret, almost-hidden Moroccan room and the main theater, the Grote Zaal.

The theater had an original seating capacity of 2,000, an orchestra, balcony and upper circle levels.  With not just a film screen but a stage for live performances, an elegant Wurlitzer organ had a place of honor on the left side of the stage.  As I stood on the balcony, amazed at the richness of the beautiful theater, I listened in wonder at the organist practicing his music.

The beautiful details throughout the building…the light fixtures, the stained glass, the woodwork…all lend to the opinion of it being considered one of the most beautiful cinemas in the world.  However, not just a place of beauty, the theater in its time was considered to be revolutionary with its unique heating and ventilation system which kept an even temperature throughout the building and the state of the art Wurlitzer organ with 850 pipes that could make just about any sound, including voice.

Over time, the theater underwent many changes including one to its name when it was retitled “Tivoli” during the Second World War and began screening German made Nazi anti-semitic films.  Sadly during this time, Abraham Tuschinski and most of his family were deported to Auschwitz, never to return. The theater name was changed back to Tuschinski in 1945 and used for many concerts starring big names of the day such as Judy Garland, Marlene Dietrich, Dizzy Gillespie and Fats Domino. More changes came in more recent years when the theater was renovated to its original style between 1998 and 2002 and expanded to add more auditoriums.  Today, the theater goes by the name Pathé Tuschinski and the Grote Zaal has a capacity of only 784,  however, five additional screens can accommodate 105 to 191 more patrons each.

As I walked through this incredible, historic theater, I was moved at how much attention to detail and thought could be put into a place of business and I imagined that I would see movies more often if I could come to a place so extraordinary.

As I returned my audio guide and collected my complimentary cup of tea, I checked the time schedule and discovered that “The Greatest Showman” was playing later in the day.

Yes!  I would return and make my visit complete.

Arriving just before showtime, I purchased my ticket at the booth in front of the building, opting to be seated in the balcony, which included free popcorn and a drink of choice (soda, wine and beer included).  Before the presentation began, I was giddy with excitement, especially when I found that this particular movie was a musical.  Usually not a fan of this type of genre, I could hardly envision any other type of movie to be the first that I would enjoy in this majestic theater.

And I was right.  I was mesmerized as I sat in the balcony viewing the large screen and enjoying the wondrous story line, feeling almost as if I was at a Broadway production, not a movie!  At the end of the feature, I was saddened that my time at the theater was over.

Since my visit, I have been to Amsterdam an additional time and the first thing I have done is to check the movie listings at Pathé Tuschinski.  Though nothing on the schedule interested me, I do know that I have discovered something to do there in the future, unlike anywhere else!

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Pathé Tuschinski 

  • https://www.pathe.nl/bioscoop/tuschinski
  • Address:  Reguliersbreestraat 26-34, 1017 CN Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • Hours:  Varies according to movies shown
  • Admission:  Varies according to seat location
  • Self-guided Audio Tour:  Daily between 0930 and 1130, 10€ per person, including tea or coffee.  Offered in Dutch and English.