National Museum of Cinema

The only one in Italy and among the most important ones in the world, the National Museum of Cinema is located inside the Mole Antonelliana, the historic building symbol of Turin. The Mole Antonelliana, designed originally as a synagogue, has been completely restored as an absolutely unique shrine to cinema. At 167 metres, the Mole is certainly the highest museum in the world. A scenic lift, that goes up through the centre of the building to the dome and pavilion gives not only a view of the objects and exhibits on display with spectacular and fascinating effects and perspectives, but also a complete scenic panorama of the city and its surrounding mountains.

Another special element is the museum collection itself, among the most complete in the world including 7,000 film titles in the cinema library; 9,000 objects, paintings and old prints; 140,000 photographic documents; 150,000 posters; and more than 200 magic lanterns along with a collection of 4,500 slides. The museum is completed by its library with 20,000 volumes and 3,000 periodical titles, an audio library and print archives of great historical value.A fantastic route has been planned for the visitor through the various collections and the early experiments with moving images up until the birth of cinema. Ten “chapels” placed around the Temple Hall are dedicated to great themes in cinema history: Love and Death, Cabiria, Cinema in Torino, Animated Cinema, Experimental Cinema, Mirrors, The Absurd, Horror and Fantasy, True and False, Big Bang, all with film sets, photographs, designs and sketches…

There will be showings of short films and animated films in the Temple Hall, the immense and spectacular heart of the museum situated in the centre of the Mole.