The Ponrepo cinema is located in the historically valuable refectory of the Old Town Convent. In the 14th century there was a house called Jerusalem with a chapel of St. Mary Magdalene, founded after 1375 by Jan Milíč of Kroměříž for repentant women. Later, the organ school was located here, whose pupils included Antonín Dvořák, who served here as director after graduation.
The Konvikt Hall became one of the main cultural centres of Prague in the late 18th and during the 19th century. Gradually, many prominent foreign and Czech musical artists performed here. For example, Ludwig van Beethoven, Ferenc Liszt, Anton Grigorjevic Rubinstein, Richard Wagner and many others. Proms, occasional theatre performances and exhibitions were held here. The hall made its mark in the history of the national revival with the first Czech ball held on 5 February 1840, initiated by Josef Kajetán Tyl. The ball was not only a great social success, but also a political act that found its followers throughout the country.
In modern times, Prague residents began to go to the newly adapted hall of the then very popular BIO KONVIKT cinema. After 1945, the adapted hall of the building was home to Jiří Trnka's puppet film studio, which made Czech cinema famous all over the world.
In the seventies, Konvikt, as the whole complex is called, fell into a very bad state, even several emergency notices were issued. It was therefore decided to overhaul the building, which was preceded by an architectural and archaeological survey. However, the total reconstruction did not take place in the end. After 1989, the Konvikt premises were returned to the family of the original owners. In 1996, the former refectory was turned into the Ponrepo cinema. Today, the space above it houses the NFA Library with a study room.