How to Visit Mole Antonelliana & the Museum of Cinema in Turin?
As a first-year student, I took several film-related courses, more to show off than out of real interest. But without realizing it, that’s where it all started: my love for cinema, my habit of analyzing every film, the thrill of dark movie theaters.
Years later, I discovered Italy. A new passion! The golden light of the late afternoons, the delicacy and flavors of its cuisine, the undeniable charm of its language.
And of course, history. Heritage. Culture, everywhere, all the time.
So, the first time I came to Turin, I wanted to combine my two passions and visit the Cinema Museum. But the person who accompanied me wasn’t interested at all.
“No worries, I’ll come back,” I told myself. Except, I came back 15 years later.
Yes, the wait was long, too long, I agree, but it was worth it. What a museum! With immersive sets, priceless objects telling the story of the 7th art since its beginnings, and projections, I didn’t want to leave!
Let’s visit Mole Antonelliana in Turin and its cinema museum, one of the best I’ve had the chance to visit!
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THE ESSENTIALS | VISIT MOLE ANTONELLIANA & CINEMA MUSEUM
- The Mole is the iconic building of Turin. Since 2000, it has housed the National Cinema Museum.
- An elevator takes you up to the terrace for a panoramic view.
- Entry costs 16 euros, and you can buy your ticket online.
- To ensure you don’t miss any important details, you can join a guided tour.
- It’s my favorite attraction in Turin, although the city has so much more to offer!
The Mole Antonelliana of Turin, the symbol of the city.
The Mole Antonelliana is the Eiffel Tower of Turin, the landmark that defines its skyline and is a staple on postcards.
At 167.5 meters tall, it watches over the city and captures the attention of passersby, who feel tiny in comparison.
Its construction began in 1863, and at the time, it was intended to be a synagogue.
However, the work, initiated by architect Alessandro Antonelli, faced delays.
Construction costs rose so much that the religious project was abandoned, and the city bought the monument.
In the end, the Mole was completed only in 1889. Once a museum for the Risorgimento, it remained unused for years…
Then, in the 1990s, a new idea emerged: the Mole would be repurposed to house the National Cinema Museum of Turin.
An architecture that stands out
What makes the Mole so famous is its size. In fact, it was once the tallest monument in Europe.
However, its neoclassical architecture stands in stark contrast to the rest of the Turin architecture. Without embellishments or extravagances, its appearance is quite simple.
It consists of a structure in the shape of a square dome, designed in masonry and reinforced after earthquakes.
The four sides of the dome widen into columned loggias, reminiscent of the architecture of Greek temples.
At the top, a long spire rises towards the sky, about 50 meters high, just that!
The incredible Cinema Museum of Turin
While the building itself is worth the visit, it’s especially for the National Cinema Museum that tourists flock here.
Inaugurated in 2000, it houses over 1.8 million objects, including movie posters, cameras, and scripts, spread across a total area of 3,200 square meters!
If, like me, you’re a movie enthusiast, you’ll love exploring this museum, which covers the 7th art from every angle.
Even if you’re just a curious visitor, trust me, you’ll appreciate it too. Because this museum isn’t just an exhibit of objects behind glass cases. No.
It’s an experience, especially thanks to its life-sized film sets where you move through them as the protagonist of your own movie.
I recommend spending about 2 hours exploring the museum, unless you’re a true cinephile. In that case, you might want to set aside half a day.
1 museum, several sections
The museum is spread across 5 floors with several sections to explore all aspects of cinema, both behind the scenes and in front of the camera.
- The Genesis of Cinema: Shadow puppets, magic lanterns, optical boxes… everything that came before moving images.
- Photographic Art: Featuring daguerreotypes, portraits of actors, and photomontages.
- Posters and Advertising Materials: The collection includes posters, programs, and various promotional materials created for the launch of films.
- Cinema Objects: You’ll find stage costumes, props, sketches, animation drawings, masks, and models.
- Devices: This section displays the devices that touch on the technical history of cinema, including sound reproduction and, especially, photography.
This museum is a love letter to cinema in all its forms.
The Panoramic Elevator
The highlight of the Mole Antonelliana in Turin is its panoramic elevator.
I won’t lie to you, I didn’t take it because the weather wasn’t great during my visit.
However, if you’re luckier than I was with the weather, definitely go for it!
This elevator takes you to the top of the Mole, where you’ll be treated to a 360º view.
Red rooftops, geometric alleyways, lush green hills… and the majestic Alps standing watch on the horizon.
So, if you’re like me and love seeing cities from above, not just to admire them from a different perspective but also to better understand their dimensions, this is a must-see experience!
Opening hours of the museum:
The museum is open every day except Tuesday.
- Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 9 AM to 7 PM.
- Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9 AM to 8 PM.
Where to buy your ticket?
You can purchase your entry tickets directly at the museum.
However, for convenience, you can also buy them online on the museum’s official website.
As of this writing, the full-price ticket costs € 16, full-price access to the lift costs € 9, or € 20 with a combined ticket.
Entry is free for children under 5 years old and for people with disabilities.
Tours to visit the museum
If you like to be accompanied by a guide during your visit to ensure you don’t miss any essential information, I recommend participating in a guided tour.
Group Tour — Panoramic Elevator
With a licensed tour guide, you’ll visit Mole Antonelliana & the Museum of Cinema in Turin.
The tour also includes access to the panoramic elevator.
From the terrace, learn more about the city’s history from your guide and discover famous sites from one of the best viewpoints in the city.
Cinema Museum + Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour
If you want to kill two birds with one stone, this ticket allows you to visit the museum and use the hop-on hop-off bus at your convenience.
This way, you can explore Turin at your own pace and not miss any of its most beautiful attractions.
Other things to see in Turin
Turin is somewhat of an unknown gem in Italy.
Most international tourists flock to Rome or Florence, and they’re right to—those are stunning destinations—but they’re missing out on hidden treasures like Turin.
If you find yourself in the city, these 5 places are a must-see:
- The Chapel of the Holy Shroud and the Cathedral of Turin
- Piazza San Carlo
- Piazza Castello
- Via Po
- The Medieval Village (Borgo Medievale)
I’ve written this article to highlight the places and activities you can’t miss in order to fully enjoy the city.
I hope I’ve helped you to visit Mole Antonelliana and its museum with ease—something I wholeheartedly recommend!
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