17/06/2026 - 130 Years of Cinema in Portugal celebrated with a documentary

18 June marks a historic date: it is the 130th anniversary of the first cinema screening in Portugal. On 18 June 1896, the first moving images were presented to the Portuguese public at the former Real Colyseu located on Rua da Palma in Lisbon. The building, which accommodated around 5,000 spectators, was decommissioned and demolished in 1926, but the site still holds memories of that landmark moment.

Our work at the site

It was precisely at this historic site that ERA Arqueologia carried out archaeological excavations. The work conducted in what later became the Auto Lis Garage helped identify remains of the former Colyseu, contributing new data to the study of contemporary and industrial archaeology in Lisbon.

This research did not stop at the material remains. The link between the site and the history of cinema inspired the creation of a short documentary film, produced by ERA Arqueologia and directed by Raul Losada, which premieres this week.

A movie night at Largo do Intendente

On 18 June, from 10.00 pm, Largo do Intendente (very close to Rua da Palma) will host a special evening, organised by INATEL, to mark the occasion. In addition to the premiere of the documentary produced by ERA, there will be a screening of "The General," the masterpiece by the brilliant Buster Keaton, which was released in 1926, the same year the Real Colyseu was demolished.

This will be an evening where archaeology, history and cinema come together, at the very place that witnessed the birth of cinema in Portugal. A unique opportunity to reflect on the past, discover the work of ERA Arqueologia and enjoy a great silent film classic.

Watch the documentary here: