The Mole Antonelliana is one of the symbols of the city of Turin and, at the time of its construction, a true architectural innovation. Since the 1960s, it has been possible to ride an elevator up to the panoramic terrace and admire the entire city from 85 meters high. The Mole is also the prestigious home of the National Cinema Museum, where you can trace the history of the seventh art and discover firsthand how a film is made. Located in the heart of Turin, the Mole is a place of interest that those visiting the city cannot miss and from which to admire Italy’s first capital from above.
Visiting the Mole Antonelliana
With the purchase of a ticket to access the Mole Antonelliana’s panoramic elevator, you will be able to go up to the terrace, located immediately above the rectangular plan dome. From here, in addition to a bird’s-eye view of the city, your gaze can sweep as far as the Alps on the horizon.
Established in the plans of architect Alessandro Antonelli as a synagogue, due to high construction costs the Jewish community decided to sell it to the City of Turin. Construction had begun in 1863, and after six years it had already reached a height of seventy meters.
Antonelli continued his work under the City Council, adding the so-called “little temple,” the lantern and the characteristic spire in neo-Gothic style, which distinguishes the building and the skyline of Turin. Antonelli’s ideas to enrich his work with additional elements did not stop there, so much so that the work was only completed by his son in 1889. The Mole was the tallest masonry building in Europe and the world until 1953.
During the twentieth century, unfortunately, collapses and structural problems largely due to bad weather made it necessary to make changes. For example, in 1953 nearly 50 meters of the spire fell due to a violent storm, and it was rebuilt and completed in 1960.
The Mole Antonelliana is one of the many places of interest included in the two-day city card for visiting Turin and Piedmont. The card includes admission to many museums, galleries, castles and palaces. Among the many in and around Turin are, for example:
- the Basilica of Superga
- the Castle of Rivoli
- the Crime Museum
- the Egyptian Museum
- the hunting lodge of Stupinigi
- the Royal Palace of Venaria Reale
The various attractions must be booked individually, but once at the entrance, you can show your voucher to receive your ticket. In addition, the card entitles you to discounts on transportation tickets and points and activities of tourist interest. A city card includes free admission and discounts for one adult and one child up to twelve years old.
What to know before visiting the Mole Antonelliana
The Mole Antonelliana is an imposing building that towers over the whole of Turin and from which to see the panorama of the city from above. Its total height is almost 170 meters, but it is only possible to climb up the Mole to 85 meters, where there is a panoramic terrace.
Above the terrace we find a kind of lantern topped by a very long spire, originally crowned by a winged genius, the symbol of the Savoy family. To get to the small temple you can take the elevator, first installed in the 1960s and renovated on the threshold of the 20th century: in this case you will reach the terrace in a minute, where you can linger and look at the horizon and the city.
It is also possible to walk up to the small temple, thanks to steps that run along the gap in the dome. In this case you will have to factor in the time it takes to climb up and down.
In any case you will have to consider the possibility of finding a line at the entrance, as well as the possibility of not going up; it may happen that the elevator is not in operation depending on the weather conditions.
Access to the Mole elevator is then not recommended for those with motor problems, suffering from heart or lung disease, claustrophobia or vertigo, and it is forbidden for children under six years old.
Tickets to the Mole Antonelliana and the National Cinema Museum
As I anticipated, the Mole is the exclusive home of the National Cinema Museum. To visit it, you can purchase a separate ticket or a combined ticket for the Mole and the National Cinema Museum.
Visits to the two attractions will be accompanied by an expert guide, available in Italian, English, French, Spanish, and German, with the option of choosing a private tour for small groups.
Ticket cancellation is free of charge and the activity lasts two hours, during which you will walk through the exhibition spaces of the National Cinema Museum: from props to filming tools, the history of cinema is covered here with an interactive approach. You’ll discover how a film is created and you’ll get to see vintage movie posters. The guided tour of the Mole Antonelliana then continues to the panoramic terrace by elevator.
Headphones to listen to the guide will be provided per group of up to ten people. The meeting point is in front of the entrance to the National Cinema Museum, where you will recognize the guide by the “Italy Hidden Experiences” sign.
National Museum of Cinema and hop-on hop-off bus
To visit the National Cinema Museum and see the city and its major points of interest, you can purchase a combination ticket, which includes priority admission-without standing in line-to the museum and a 24- or 48-hour tour bus ticket, depending on your needs.
The bus departure point is Piazza Castello, while the Cinema Museum is located inside the Mole and is open:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Last admission is one hour before closing and Tuesday is a day off. This activity is also suitable for those with mobility impairments and can be canceled or rescheduled within 72 hours.
Tickets for hop-on hop-off tour buses, as the name implies, allow you to hop on and off at various points along the route to dwell on what interests you most about Turin’s many artistic and cultural attractions.