Mole Antonelliana

Mole Antonelliana

The Mole Antonelliana is a major landmark of the Italian city of Turin, named after its architect, Alessandro Antonelli. Construction began in 1863 and was completed 26 years later, after Antonelli’s death. It now houses the National Museum of Cinema, the tallest museum in the world.

The building was originally conceived as a synagogue. In 1848, when Jews in Turin were granted full civil rights, plans began for a synagogue. Between 1860 and 1864, while Turin was the capital of the newly unified Italy, the Jewish community contributed 250,000 lire to build a structure befitting their status. They hired architect Antonio Antonelli, known for adding a 121-meter dome and spire to the 17th-century Basilica di San Gaudenzio in Novara. In 1864, when the Italian capital moved to Florence, the community shrank, but costs and Antonelli’s ambitions continued to rise. Without the Jewish community’s approval, he modified the design to raise the dome to 167 meters, causing both expenses and construction time to exceed initial expectations. Work stopped in 1869, leaving only a temporary roof.

By 1876, the Jewish community had spent 690,000 lire, and the building was still far from completion, leading to the project’s cancellation. The city of Turin took over and quickly built a striking Moorish Revival structure dedicated to Victor Emmanuel II. From 1908 to 1938, the Museum of the Risorgimento was housed here before moving to the Palazzo Carignano. On May 23, 1953, a tornado and heavy rain destroyed the top 47 meters, which were rebuilt by 1961. Since 2000, the building has been home to the National Museum of Cinema.

Mole Antonelliana

Why go: The world’s tallest museum

Continent: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region: Italy [Italy]

Province/State: Piedmont Region [Piemonte Region]

City: Turin [Turin]