The old Aegidium cinema

The Aegidium cinema opened its doors in 1905. It is full of surprises because, behind its eclectic neoclassical-style facade, it is exuberantly decorated. The building carefully preserves spaces where Art Nouveau and Art Deco styles happily mingle with elements straight out of classical decorative motifs, such as floral garlands, putti, medallions and peacocks.

But the highlight of the show is undoubtedly the Moorish room, converted into a cinema by architect Léon Denis in 1933. Tracery, shells, palm leaves, geometric friezes, slender columns, horseshoe arches, mirrors and traces of fanciful writing recreate an oriental world that is unique on the Brussels scene.