A landmark building of Turin since 1889, the Mole by architect Alessandro Antonelli was purchased by the municipality who decided to make it a monument to Italian unification.
Standing at a height of 167.5m, at the time of its construction it was the highest brick building in Europe and since 2000 it has hosted the National Museum of Cinema. Built in an eclectic style, the Mole has a squat square base topped by a large dome with a spire. You can ascend to the panoramic observation platform either by elevator or on foot by climbing its 573 steps. It houses a unique “vertical museum” featuring a spectacular layout, dedicated to the history of cinema. One of the most important film museums in the world, the Museo Nazionale del Cinema is not only renowned for its rich collection of exhibits, but also for its unique location. Featuring a vertical layout, it spirals upwards, creating a spectacular display of its extraordinary collections through an evocative, interactive itinerary.
Organized by levels, not floors, in addition to a vast film library containing more than 7,000 titles, the museum’s rich heritage includes collections dedicated to the archaeology of cinema (level +5 metres), the ‘Aula del Tempio’ (+10), the focal heart of the museum, with areas dedicated to the great genres of cinematic history, and the ‘Rampa’ which, like a movie, unfolds to reveal the dome, offering a breathtaking view over the museum from above. The ‘Macchina del Cinema’ (+15) is dedicated to the film industry, while the ‘Galleria dei Manifesti’ is located on level +18.
A major highlight of the visit is the building’s panoramic lift which takes visitors on a ride, up 85 metres, to the ‘Tempietto’, an observation deck offering a breathtaking view over the city and its surrounding Alpine range. The braver of heart can also access the panoramic deck on foot from the ground floor to discover the places hidden inside the cavity of the dome.
