Stroll through Turin / Torino Piemont Tour 2019 1x PiP

Mole Antonelliana
The Mole Antonelliana , the very large building is a landmark of the Italian city of Turin. The building with its high tower, which tapers off considerably, was constructed between 1863 and 1889 and was started as a synagogue by order of the Jewish community. The architect's ambition to build a unique building caused the costs to explode. Despite all attempts to raise the money for its completion, the Jewish community was finally unable to generate any more money. In 1877, the building was taken over by the city for 150,000 lire, which in 1895 established a museum in it. The 4 meter high figure of a winged genius at the top of the tower marked the completion of the building in April 1889.

With a height of 167.50 metres, the Mole Antonelliana was the second tallest accessible building in the world when it was completed.
Until 1953, the Mole Antonelliana was the tallest brickwork building in the world.

In August 1904, the Genius, which was anchored in the masonry with an iron beam, was knocked down by storms and lightning. It was later replaced by a twelve-pointed star about 4 metres in size. The building survived the American bombing of the city in World War II undamaged. In 1953 the wooden spire was broken off by a tornado. This spire was replaced in 1961 as a stone-clad metal construction.

The building today houses the Museo Nazionale del Cinema, the most important film museum in Italy.
The Mole Antonelliana , was also the model for the official logo of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin.