Situated in the charming city of Girona, Spain, the Cinema Museum in Girona (Museo del Cine - Colección Tomàs Mallol) is an enthralling destination for film enthusiasts and curious visitors alike. This unique museum, inaugurated on April 8, 1998, is housed in a historic building that is part of the Architectural Heritage Inventory of Catalonia. The museum offers a fascinating journey through 400 years of the history of moving images, showcasing the evolution of cinema from its earliest beginnings to the advent of television.
The Cinema Museum in Girona is a treasure trove of cinematic history and innovation. The permanent exhibition is based on the Tomàs Mallol Collection, a remarkable assortment of cinematographic and pre-cinematographic objects amassed over more than three decades. Acquired by the Girona City Council in 1994, this collection is one of the most significant of its kind worldwide. The museum is divided into several thematic areas, each offering a unique glimpse into the development of visual storytelling.
The journey begins with Leaving the Shadows, an area dedicated to the ancient art of shadow theatre. Originating in the Far East around the 3rd century, shadow theatre used light and shadows to narrate stories and myths. This form of entertainment was introduced to Western Europe through Turkey and Greece in the 14th century, eventually giving way to the magic lantern shows that gained popularity in the 17th century.
Next, visitors encounter The Spell of a Lamp: The Magic Lantern. This section highlights the magic lantern, a precursor to modern cinema invented in the mid-17th century by Christian Huygens. The magic lantern projected images painted on glass plates, sometimes mechanized for rudimentary animation. The museum also showcases the phantasmagoria, a complex magic lantern projection that captivated audiences in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
In Fixing the Image of the World: The Optical Box and Photography, visitors learn about the optical boxes or Mondo Nuovo that allowed spectators to view distant cities and landscapes through lenses. The advent of photography in 1839 revolutionized image capturing, replacing hand-drawn images with chemically fixed photographs. This innovation enabled the precise reproduction of fleeting moments, offering a new perspective on reality.
The section The Image Takes Movement delves into the discovery that rapid sequences of static images create the illusion of motion. This phenomenon, uncovered in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, led to the invention of devices like the phenakistoscope, zoetrope, and praxinoscope. These toys became popular, allowing the public to experience animated images for the first time.
The Race to Cinema explores the frantic quest in the late 19th century to develop a device for projecting moving photographic images. Pioneers like Eadweard Muybridge, Etienne-Jules Marey, and Thomas Edison made significant contributions, leading to the groundbreaking invention of the cinematograph by the Lumière brothers in 1895. Their public screening in Paris marked the birth of cinema as we know it.
The Lumière brothers' cinematograph revolutionized entertainment, captivating audiences worldwide with moving images. The museum's section The Lumière Brothers celebrates their achievement and the rapid spread of cinema. Visitors can explore the early days of film, from the simple yet mesmerizing short films to the more elaborate productions that followed.
The Tools of Cinema showcases the technological advancements that transformed cinema into a major industry. From the early films of Georges Méliès to the introduction of sound, the evolution of cinematic techniques and storytelling is chronicled. The exhibit highlights the development of film editing, special effects, and the emergence of cinema as a powerful art form.
The museum also pays homage to The Children's Cinema: The Cine NIC, a popular toy projector created in Catalonia in 1931. The Cine NIC allowed children to create their own films, sparking their imagination and introducing them to the magic of cinema. This section celebrates the joy and creativity that cinema brings to young audiences.
Among the museum's notable pieces are figures from Javanese shadow theatre, known as wayang kulit, and Western shadow theatre figures from the 19th century. These intricate silhouettes, crafted from animal hide or metal, depict mythological characters and stories, offering a glimpse into the rich tradition of shadow puppetry.
Another fascinating exhibit is the Chinese shadow sphere, a metal globe with perforations that create floral, animal, and geometric patterns when illuminated by an internal candle. This object demonstrates the use of light and shadow to create enchanting visual effects long before the advent of modern cinema.
The Cinema Museum in Girona is more than just a museum; it is a journey through the history of visual storytelling. With its interactive exhibits and extensive collection, it offers an engaging and educational experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you are a film buff or simply curious about the origins of cinema, the Cinema Museum in Girona is a must-visit destination that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for the art and science of moving images.
Get your Tickets now!
With myCityHunt you can discover thousands of cities around the world in exciting scavenger hunts, treasure hunts and escape games!
myCityHunt vouchers are the perfect gift for many occasions! Surprise your friends and family with this extraordinary event gift. myCityHunt gift vouchers are valid for 2 years from the date of purchase and can be used within this period for a freely selectable city and tour from the myCityHunt portfolio.
Buy Gift Vouchers
