A striking building in the middle of the Willem-II street is Cinecitta. Originally intended as society for the wealthy who needed a little culture after a hard day’s work. The building - designed by architect Fremau in 1877 – is a clear display of the prosperity of that time with baroque characteristics that radiate exuberance. The society there was called Souvenir des Montagnards (memories from the mountains). Inspired by the French choir Les Montagnards de Bagu res-de Bigarre, that performed in Tilburg and made quite an impression. In 1902, Queen Wilhelmina granted the royal predicate to the association, so our singing nightingales became the Royal Liedertafel Souvenir des Montagnards. The Liedertafel left the building in 1983, that has also housed a cinema for over a century making it the oldest in the Netherlands. Still in business as cinema, it has never lost its cultural function.
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