The Batalha Centro de Cinema, an important monument in Porto’s cinematic history, began its journey in the summer of 1906 with regular film screenings at Salão High-Life. This initial venture, housed in a modest shack at Feira de S. Miguel, was the brainchild of Manuel da Silva Neves and Edmond Pascaud.

Under the stewardship of Luís Neves Real, a multifaceted personality encompassing roles as a mathematician, teacher, film critic, and founder of Cineclube do Porto, Salão High-Life soon relocated to Jardim da Cordoaria. In February 1908, it transformed into Novo Salão High-Life at Praça da Batalha, laying the groundwork for the future Cinema Batalha.

The 1940s marked a pivotal era for Cinema Batalha, with the demolition of the Novo Salão High-Life building and the rise of a new, modern cinema complex designed by architect Artur Andrade. This new structure, hailed for its radical modernity, featured two auditoriums, accommodating 950 and 135 spectators, respectively, alongside dual bars and a restaurant with a terrace.

The building’s aesthetic appeal was further enhanced by Júlio Pomar’s foyer fresco and Américo Braga’s bas-relief on the lateral façade, although both artworks later faced censorship under the Estado Novo regime.

Batalha’s cinematic legacy faced challenges in the 2000s, leading to its closure in 2000 due to competition from larger commercial cinemas. After a period of neglect and a brief occupancy by Comércio Vivo, the building was declared a public monument in 2012, ensuring that it would be preserved for future generations.

The Porto City Council’s intervention in 2017 marked a new chapter, taking over the management and initiating a major 5 million euro renovation led by Alexandre Alves Costa and Sérgio Fernandez of Atelier 15. The renovated Batalha Centro de Cinema, with Guilherme Blanc as its Artistic Director, reopened in December 2022, reestablishing its cultural significance in Porto.