Elhamra Sahnesi

About Elhamra Sahnesi

Elhamra Sahnesi is a historic stage on Milli Kutuphane Caddesi in Konak, also known as the Milli Kutuphane Sinemasi or Milli Kutuphane Tiyatrosu. It was commissioned by the Izmir Milli Kutuphane Cemiyeti as the Milli Sinema, designed by the architect Tahsin Sermet Bey, and is one of the most characteristic examples of the First National Architecture movement, with pointed arches, small domed towers, wide eaves and tiled facades. When it was completed it had 840 seats and a 120 square metre stage, making it the largest and most comfortable cinema of its day. Ataturk watched one performance and three films from its boxes, and the Istiklal Court tried the defendants of the planned assassination attempt on him here. It was first run by the Ipekci brothers as the Elhamra Cinema, which gave the stage its present name, and until 1977 it showed films and hosted plays and concerts. The Ministry of Culture and Tourism leased and restored it in 1978, after which it became a stage of Izmir State Opera and Ballet. The hall now seats about 400 and is decorated with oriental style chandeliers and four fresco panels by the painter Naci Kalmukoglu on Turkish and Western stage art. Since 2023 it has also been used by Izmir Metropolitan Municipality; in November 2026 its programme included the Yeniden Sinematek film screenings and a masterclass on film production design.