Desenzano Cinema Could Become Mosque or Cultural Center
Will the ancient church of the former Santa Maria de Senioribus monastery become a mosque? This is one of the possible destinations currently under consideration, discussed recently by the property owner of the Cinema-teatro Alberti, located at the entrance of via S. Maria in the city’s historic center. Not the only one. In fact, many communities are interested in gaining access to the large complex.
Possible uses for the property
Among the potential uses are transforming the cinema into a Multicultural Cultural Center, a meeting hall, or even a mosque. If this happens, the historic building will undergo yet another transformation, reserving a rather unusual fate for what was centuries ago the church of the ancient convent with its adjoining cloister. It would pass from Catholic church to theater, then to cinema, and finally to a place of worship for those practicing the Islamic faith.
Indeed, the current building of the Alberti cinema — confirms the historian Giuseppe Tosi, author of a book dedicated to the Santa Maria de Senioribus complex — was originally the church of the convent. The latter was closed by the Venetian Republic in 1770, while the church survived until 1813, when Napoleon suppressed the two confraternities to which the church was assigned.
The property later became a theater. In 1815, the adjacent bell tower was partly demolished. It experienced a century of true splendor throughout the 19th century. Decline set in at the beginning of the 20th century. In 1954, the Bergamaschi family became the owner, acquiring shares from the Palchettisti Association. After a period of “boom” during the cinemascope era, the new cinema survived into recent times.
Current situation and future plans for the property
Currently, the cinema is closed, and according to gathered information, this shutdown is expected to last for several months. The new development concerns the future use of the building. The owner confirmed this. “I was recently contacted by representatives of the Muslim community of Milan. They learned that Desenzano is the owner of this large property.”
They expressed interest in renting it, at the conclusion of the current lease. The intended use could be precisely as a mosque. Contact has continued, to the point that next week a delegation from the Arab world, coming from Rome, will arrive in Desenzano to evaluate the building and the feasibility of the project,” explains Mrs. Patrizia Bergamaschi to the journalist.
“It’s not the only option. Others have proposed converting it into a Multicultural Cultural Center. I would have preferred to give the property to the Comune di Desenzano and restore it to its 19th-century splendor when the theater was a small “Scala”. But if the municipality is not interested, I need to find alternative solutions.
Currently, the hall seats 550 spectators, has 8 emergency exits, can host various art performances, and with minimal modifications, can also be transformed into a theater,” she adds. Opposing the idea of establishing a mosque, Rino Polloni, a minority city councilor, quickly took a stand by writing a lengthy letter to the mayor and, for the record, to all parish priests. Will the call of the “muezzin” soon become a daily sound for the residents of Desenzano?