Things to Do at Mole Antonelliana

The Mole Antonelliana towers 167.5 meters above Turin's skyline, originally designed as a synagogue in 1863 before becoming the city's most recognizable landmark and home to the National Cinema Museum. The panoramic elevator ride to the observation deck costs €8 ($8.75), and the best time to visit is late afternoon when the Alps create a dramatic backdrop against the setting sun. The building's unique spire, added in 1889, makes it the tallest unreinforced masonry building in Europe. Inside the glass elevator, you'll feel your ears pop slightly as you ascend while the city spreads below through floor-to-ceiling windows. The observation deck offers 360-degree views where mountain air feels noticeably crisper than street level, carrying the faint scent of snow from the nearby Alps even in summer months. The museum itself occupies the building's interior with its soaring central void - a dramatic space where your whispers echo upward toward the spire while interactive cinema exhibits surround you on multiple levels.

The Mole sits 10 minutes from Porta Nuova station on foot. Trams 13, 15, and 16 stop nearby, or you can metro to Porta Nuova and walk from there. Easy access. Staying in the historic center around Via Roma or Piazza Castello means a pleasant 15-minute walk through decent streets. Street parking is limited. But Turin's public transport works well enough-you won't need a car.