Mole Antonelliana

Overview

The Mole Antonelliana is Turin's defining landmark, a soaring 167.5-metre spire originally designed as a synagogue by Alessandro Antonelli in 1863. It became a symbol of the city's ambition and today houses the Museo Nazionale del Cinema. The panoramic glass lift offers breathtaking views over Turin's grid of baroque streets toward the snow-capped Alps.

Highlights

• Panoramic lift: A glass elevator rises through the museum's central void to a 85-metre viewing platform.
• Architectural audacity: The tallest unreinforced brick structure ever built, surpassing even the Washington Monument at its completion.
• Night illumination: The spire is dramatically lit after dark and often features coloured projections during festivals.

History

Commissioned in 1863 by the Jewish community, the project grew far beyond its original scope under Antonelli's obsessive vision. Construction lasted nearly three decades. The city took ownership in 1878, repurposing it as a monument to Italian unity before it became the Cinema Museum's home in 2000.

Visitor Tips

• Best time: Visit late afternoon to catch the daylight and stay for the evening illumination.
• Combo ticket: Save money with a combined museum + lift ticket.
• Duration: 1.5–2 hours.