The building was originally intended to be a synagogue but was completed as a monument to national unity.
The structure was built without the use of a metal frame, relying entirely on load-bearing masonry.
The panoramic lift is suspended by steel cables and requires no vertical rails within the central void.
The dome features a distinct lantern structure designed to be visible from every point in the city.
The Museum of Cinema occupies the main hall, which formerly housed the Museum of the Risorgimento.
The Spire was rebuilt in 1961 after being destroyed by a violent whirlwind in 1953.
The building's unique shape inspired the design of the logo for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.
The Mole Antonelliana is an iconic architectural landmark in Turin, housing the National Museum of Cinema. Originally designed by Alessandro Antonelli as a synagogue in 1863, the structure reached a height of 167.5 meters, making it one of the tallest brick buildings in the world. Its defining feature is a panoramic glass elevator that transports visitors through the museum’s main hall to a 360-degree viewing platform. The interior displays trace the history of visual storytelling from pre-cinema optical devices to modern film technology. Exhibits are arranged in a spiral configuration around the central space. The building's structural framework relies on an unconventional masonry dome and a slender spire. It stands as the symbolic architectural profile of the city of Turin. The museum collections include significant artifacts like shadow theatre puppets, magic lanterns, and original film sets.
From the Piazza Vittorio Veneto, looking back at the dome against the Turin skyline.
Book elevator tickets in advance, as capacity is limited and time slots sell out daily.
Visit the viewing platform on a clear day to see the Alps spanning the horizon behind the city.
Spend time exploring the interactive exhibits in the basement levels, which are often less crowded than the main hall.
Attempting to purchase tickets on-site during weekends or holidays, as these sell out early.
Closed on Tuesdays.
