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Inside the Mole: When Film History Climbs Straight Up

The Mole Antonelliana was never meant to serve as a temple for the silver screen. Conceived originally as a synagogue in the mid-19th century, it was bought by the municipality after architect Alessandro Antonelli blew past the construction budget. Set within this brick and stone structure reaching 167 metres in height, the National Museum of Cinema opened its doors here in 2000, unspooling its collections across five spiral levels.

Why visit the National Museum of Cinema in Turin?

Turin served as the birthplace of Italian cinema. This is where Giovanni Pastrone directed Cabiria in 1914, the grandest epic of the global silent film era. The museum preserves a direct record of that legacy holding over two million items in total, including 300,000 posters, 80,000 photographic documents, and 12,000 film reels. No other film museum in Europe matches this scale.

In 2024, the museum welcomed over 818,000 visitors, setting an all-time record. This milestone stems not just from the fame of the Mole, but from the sheer quality of the exhibit design. It ranks among the most striking museum stagings anywhere in Europe.

The permanent collection: five levels spanning a century

The Aula del Tempio, a dramatic core

The centerpiece of the museum is the Aula del Tempio, the towering former central hall of the Mole that rises like a cathedral. Along its walls, chapels are dedicated to major cinematic genres: westerns, horror, film noir. Each alcove offers sets, props, and screenings. The lighting is low and theatrical. Visitors sink into tilted vintage floor seats to watch clips play across two giant screens.

The helical ramp and the Galleria dei Manifesti

Leaving the main hall via the Rampa elicoidale, visitors wind upward toward the dome along a spiral path dedicated to temporary exhibitions. Higher up, the Galleria dei Manifesti displays hundreds of movie posters from around the world, ranging from the silent era to contemporary releases. It traces the visual evolution of movie marketing across several decades.

The Macchina del Cinema: behind the scenes in scale

An entire level is devoted to filmmaking trades: directing, screenwriting, costume design, set decoration, editing, and special effects. Original storyboards from major productions sit alongside vintage cameras and wardrobe pieces. One section highlights the work of Leo Catozzo, inventor of the tape splicer and longtime editor for Federico Fellini, showcased in a space inaugurated in 2025.

The panoramic elevator: 85 metres in 59 seconds

From the ground floor, a glass-walled cabin shoots straight through the open core of the Mole up to the Tempietto, sitting 85 metres above the ground. The ascent offers a dizzying perspective of the building's interior architecture. At the top, the observation deck looks out over all of Turin, with the Alps visible on the horizon on clear days.

The elevator completed a mandatory overhaul in July 2025, ranking among the most thorough in its history: cables, mechanical parts, emergency car, and backup power systems were all inspected and renewed. The lift is fully operational.

Friendly tip: Tickets for the panoramic elevator go on sale online 19 hours before the first morning slot of the following day. For weekend visits, check availability starting at 10pm the night before. This is often the only way to secure a ride.

Ticket pricing guide

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