Sala Trevi - Silver screenings

Many tourists (Italians and foreigners alike) who come to Rome, marvel at the places visited only on the silver screen. Rome has a rich past as background for some of movie history’s greatest works. In order to properly value and promote this treasure, after the war the government founded the Cineteca Nazionale, the national cinema archive.

The archive is meant as a library of all the cinematic productions made in Italy, be they worthy to stand next to Amici Miei, Roma Città Aperta, Nuovo Cinema Paradiso or not. However, despite the obvious disparity in quality as well as quantity between past and present commercial and artistic films archived, the cineteca has become a point of reference in Rome for grand retrospect’s, discussions and screenings of great films.

The location for the screenings is former Cinema Trevi which takes its name from the nearby fountain. The screening hall has an impressive glass panel on one side that looks onto the remains of a roman insulae that were discovered when the historic cinema was renovated. The historical findings mix well with the modern interior, a perfect illustration of the aim to integrate history with modern means of promoting our heritage.

Yearly the foundation hosts a myriad of screenings, panels, festivals and more, both on its own, as well as in collaboration with foreign film archives and institutions. The many possibilities of getting to know a little more about cinematic history or seeing that newly restored film (because restoration of celluloid film is one of the main tasks of the foundation) make for a difficult choice, especially since the entrance is now free. So, if you have an afternoon or evening off, why not pop into the Sala Trevi and enjoy a great classic?

Sala Trevi

For the program, please see their website

vicolo del Puttarello 25