The Mole Antonelliana and the cinema museum

Located in the old town, the Mole Antonelliana takes its name from the architect Alessandro Antonelli di Gheme Novarese. He designed a grandiose monument in a neo-classical and neo-Gothic style. And with good reason: the building was to become the largest synagogue in Europe. In the end, numerous delays due to technical and financial problems brought the project to an end. The city of Turin bequeathed another plot of land to the Jewish community to build its synagogue. The city reclaimed the unfinished building. La Mole was finally completed in 1889, after 26 years of construction.

The Mole Antonelliana is best visited for its panoramic glass lift and its terrace with 360-degree views. In less than a minute, you reach a height of 85 metres and one of the best vantage points in Turin and the surrounding area. On a clear day, the view is splendid, with the Alps looming in the background.

For architecture buffs, taking the lift also gives you a closer look inside the dome. Finally, for the more motivated, there are stairs to climb on foot to the terrace. Allow around 1 hour. It's free and it's a great way to get some exercise before your aperitivo!

The Mole Antonelliana is also home to the National Cinema Museum. With over 1 million visitors every year, it ranks as one of the world's most important museums dedicated to the seventh art. And it's easy to see why, with everything designed to impress visitors. Peplum and science fiction sets bring the various areas to life, as do a host of interactive activities.

This museum is particularly popular with children and teenagers. Each film is presented in an educational and entertaining way, so there's never a dull moment! What's more, it's also worth taking a look at the museum's programme. It offers a number of master classes and workshops which, if you have a bit of time, can complement your visit to the museum.

At the end of your visit, you are invited to go downstairs and take a seat in one of the large red armchairs. There, in the comfort of your own home, you can watch masterpieces of Italian cinema and a regularly changing programme of films.

Finally, for film lovers, did you know that the Torino Film Festival (TFF) is held in Turin every year in late November and early December?

Created in 1982, this international festival presents a selection of over 170 films screened in various venues around Turin, including the Mole Antonelliana. Each year the festival also offers an original themed retrospective. Over the years, it has become a not-to-be-missed event for fans of the 7th art.

Just a 10-minute walk from the Mole Antonelliana, Santa Giulia Hotel e Residence Torino will please families and couples alike to easily visit Turin. It is appreciated for its location and good value for money 📍 Via Santa Giulia 41, Aurora Vanchiglia, Turin

🍴 Where to eat? To eat, you'll have to leave La Mole, as there are no cafés or restaurants on site. On the way out, just a few steps away, there are a number of restaurants serving Piedmontese specialities, including Buta Stupa and Ristorante II Melograno.