Accessible Turin: the Cinema Museum

Third and final stop of our trip to Turin! The visit we're talking about today is the one we took to the Mole Antonelliana, the 19th-century building that now houses the National Cinema Museum (*). From the museum's website, we've included this text that recounts the monument's history:

An architectural symbol of the city of Turin, the Mole Antonelliana was initially conceived as a synagogue before being purchased by the city council to become a monument to national unity.

Designed and begun by architect Alessandro Antonelli in 1863, it was not completed until 1889. At the time, at 167.5 meters, it was the tallest masonry building in Europe. In 1961, during the celebrations for the centenary of the unification of Italy, the panoramic elevator was inaugurated. Renovated in 1999, it still allows visitors to ascend to the temple, 85 meters above sea level, and admire the extraordinary view of the city and the surrounding Alpine range.

While this other text explains the purpose of the National Cinema Museum:

One of the most exciting cinema exhibitions, hosted at the Mole Antonelliana: in a setting of scenography, projections, and light shows, the guided tours create a spectacular presentation, immersing you in the magic of cinema, just like watching a film.

You can discover firsthand the secrets hidden behind the camera and the stages leading up to the film screening, in a fantastical and interactive itinerary: from shadow theater and the first fascinating magic lanterns to the most spectacular special effects of our time and virtual reality.

So let's begin to immerse ourselves in our images, starting with Piazza Castello and Palazzo Madama:

Along the road we come across this mural dedicated to Piero Angela on the facade of the RAI headquarters:

We walk along Via Giuseppe Verdi, we arrive at Via Montebello and these are the first views of the Mole:

Once we reach the entrance, we'll meet the staff who will escort us to a side entrance where we can access the glass elevator in the center of the Mole Antonelliana. The elevator will give us a general overview of the Cinema Museum and take us to the small temple with an incredible 360° panoramic view of Turin (tickets are free for us).

Let's return to the ground floor and begin visiting the Cinema Museum, starting with the oldest machines that anticipated actual cinematographic instruments:

And now let's move on to the evocative images of the most famous films and actors:

The exhibition "Pazza Idea" will be on display at the Museum until March 9, 2026, as described on the website:

The National Museum of Cinema presents the photography exhibition "PAZZA IDEA. Beyond '68: Pop Icons in the Photographs of Angelo Frontoni," a compelling account of the 1970s and 1980s seen through the lens of photographer Angelo Frontoni, who, with elegance and irony, captured the spirit and contradictions of those years.

Angelo Frontoni, with his unmistakable baroque taste, always verging on excess, has portrayed stars of film, television, and fashion. In his photographs, published in national and international magazines and newspapers, seduction blends with irony; provocation and tenderness coexist in a surprising balance. Today, these images tell us the story of an era's entertainment and, above all, the desires and fantasies of a generation.

Let's begin with the metal panels displayed outside the Mole Antonelliana:

The rest of the exhibition unfolds along ramps that climb the walls of the building; the ramps are easily accessible by wheelchair, preferably a motorized one.

And with the splendid Jane Fonda taking us back to our youth, we conclude our tour of Turin, hoping we've provided you with some inspiration and interesting information.

SEE YOU NEXT TIME!!

(*) symbol indicating the presence of accessible restrooms