RIALTO the Theatre and its history

In 1930 at Heroes' square - the then focal point of Limassol a new cinema was being built by the Chrysochou brothers. Having lived for many years in the United States, the Chrysochou family aspired to create a new ultramodern - for the period - movie theatre.
The plans were made by Gunsberg the well known architect who had designed many public buildings. The building of a cinema in the area surrounding Heroes' square (known as ‘Kesogloudkia') made a strong impression on the people of Limassol. The following extract is from a press release of the time in the ‘Alithia' newspaper on November 30, 1932:

‘...an amphitheatrical 400-seat balcony is being built. The stage is big enough and there are plenty of dressing rooms. Underneath the stage there is a large beautifully furbished room to be used as a smoking area. This will help to eliminate the problem of cigarette smoke encountered in all our theatres due to the lack of proper smoking areas. The cost for completing all these works as well as others that we have forgotten to mention will exceed 5,000 pounds. The Chrysochou Brothers have assigned as foreman the experienced and indefatigable Mr. Nicolaos Kaimakliotis. The specialist and excellent craftsman of our town Mr. Grigoris Demetri has been commissioned to produce the reinforced concrete'.

A combination, however, of high costs and the general financial crisis forced the Chrysochou brothers to sell the cinema to the Lanitis family.

The Rialto cinema opened at the end of 1932. Tickets cost 3 piastres. Entrance was free to unmarried ladies on Tuesdays and to married ladies on Sundays.

For a number of years the Rialto was the most modern cinema, offering unique facilities, for the time, and attracting large crowds to its shows. At the same time it served not only as a cinema but also as a meeting point of the Limassol society. In the fifty years of its operation the "Old" RIALTO cinema enjoyed an enviable reputation hosting a variety of happenings including theatre performances by Greek and Cypriot theatre companies, concerts and opera productions conducted by the famous Cypriot composer Solon Michaelides as well as balls during the carnival period.; these were considered major social and cultural events of the time.

The Rialto hosted well known artists from Cyprus, Greece and abroad. Many young people made their first artistic steps either through school or through amateur performances. Distinguished among them is the late Limassolian composer Marios Tokas who made his debut on the stage of the RIALTO Theatre.