Cinema Museum in Turin: The Magic of the 7th Art Inside the Mole Antonelliana

The National Cinema Museum in Turin: A Journey Between Hollywood and Cinecittà

The National Cinema Museum is one of the top attractions in Turin and a major reference point in Italy for who loves the magic of the big screen. In this elegant city with a Central European flair—famous for its royal palace—a towering structure stands out: the Mole Antonelliana. Since 2000, this remarkable building has been home to the museum, following various locations that hosted it throughout the past century. In 2024, with over 800,000 visitors, it was one of the most visited museums in Italy.

Inside the Mole, visitors can explore a captivating and diverse exhibition spanning multiple levels. The museum traces the history of cinema from its origins to the present day, highlighting key films, historical periods, genres, and cinematic movements. With memorabilia, props, original scripts, equipment, artifacts, screenings, and artworks, the visit culminates at the highest point of the Mole. Take the panoramic elevator for a breathtaking view of Turin—an unforgettable way to complete the tour.

Useful Information for Visiting the Cinema Museum

Opening Hours for the Museum and Panoramic Elevator

Open every day except Tuesday, from 9 AM to 7 PM.

Last entry is one hour before closing.

Ticket Prices

Museum Admission:

Full price: €11

Reduced (ages 6-26): €9

School groups (reservation required): €3.50

Free admission: Children 0-5 years, disabled visitors (67% disability + companion), ICOM members, Torino + Piemonte Museums Subscription holders, and Cultural Passport holders.

Tickets can be purchased online or at the museum up to one hour before closing.

Panoramic Elevator Tickets:

Full price: €8

Reduced (ages 6-26): €6

Free admission: Children 0-5 years, disabled visitors (67% disability + companion), and ICOM members.

Combo Ticket (Museum + Panoramic Elevator):

Full price: €15

Reduced (ages 6-26): €12

School groups (reservation required): €9

Free admission: Children 0-5 years, disabled visitors (67% disability + companion), and ICOM members.

How to Get to the National Cinema Museum in Turin

The museum is located at Via Montebello, 20, about a 20-minute walk from Torino Porta Nuova station and 30 minutes from Torino Porta Susa. If you’d like to explore the city on foot, walking to the museum is a great option.

If you prefer public transport, the Mole Antonelliana can be reached by:

• Buses 61, 55, 56 and trams 13 and 15, getting off at the Rossini stop on Via Po.
• Bus 68 to the Verdi stop on Via Rossini and tram 16, getting off at Palazzo Nuovo on Corso San Maurizio.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cinema Museum

Why is the Cinema Museum Located in the Mole Antonelliana?
The Mole Antonelliana originally housed the Museum of the Risorgimento until it was repurposed as the National Cinema Museum in 2000.

Turin has always had a strong connection to cinema. In 1914, director Giovanni Pastrone filmed Cabiria here—the first historical epic in Italian cinema and a silent film masterpiece. Many of the original sets were preserved in the Mole and can still be seen today.

Between the 1930s and 1940s, the Mole already hosted exhibitions dedicated to cinema. Before Rome’s Cinecittà, Turin was considered Italy’s cinema capital. In 1896, the Lumière brothers chose Turin for the first-ever film screening in Italy for a paying audience.

The museum’s first official home was an annex of Palazzo Chiablese, inaugurated in 1958. Plans to move the collection to the Mole Antonelliana had been circulating since 1995, but the project only materialized in 2000, led by Turin-based architect Gianfranco Gritella and Swiss set designer François Confino.

How Long Does a Visit to the Cinema Museum Take?

To fully enjoy the museum and its incredible setting, don’t rush! On average, a visit lasts around two hours, but you’re free to take your time, especially if exploring independently. Alternatively, you can request a guided tour or take part in an interactive experience.

What Events Are Held at the Mole Antonelliana?
The museum regularly hosts educational programs for schools, which can be explored on the official website. There are also workshops and activities for families and children, as well as screenings, conferences, and special events for film enthusiasts.

Additionally, the Mole Antonelliana and museum spaces can be rented for corporate and private events outside of public opening hours.

What Is the Panoramic Elevator?
A visit to the museum wouldn’t be complete without a ride to the top of the Mole Antonelliana in the panoramic elevator. This glass-walled lift takes you to the summit in under a minute, where you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Turin.

The National Cinema Museum and the Mole Antonelliana

Describing the National Cinema Museum in few words is not easy. It’s an immersive celebration of the Seventh Art, a dream come true for film lovers.

From the pioneering works of the Lumière brothers and the imaginative worlds of Méliès to the masterpieces of every genre —westerns, horror, sci-fi—and the legacies of great directors like Fellini, Hitchcock and Kubrick, the museum offers an extensive collection of photographs, storyboards, original scripts, and stunning set designs. The exhibition traces both a chronological path, from the birth of cinema to the present, and a geographical one, showcasing the film traditions of various countries. The museum features dedicated sections exploring themes, techniques, personalities, and cinematic curiosities.

As you wander through its halls and ascend towards the top of the Mole, you'll encounter the Archaeology of Cinema section, displaying vintage cameras, magic lanterns, and early optical illusions, as well as The Cinema Machine, focusing on iconic figures from Italian and international cinema and the artistic elements of filmmaking. Don’t miss the Poster Gallery, filled with original movie posters from beloved films, and the Temple Hall, where cinema is explored through its genres. And of course, a visit would be incomplete without taking the elevator to the Mole’s dome for a stunning panoramic view.

But what is the Mole Antonelliana? A 167-meters- high tower, the Mole Antonelliana dominates the Turin skyline, symbolizing the city’s ambition towards technological and architectural innovation in late 19th-century Europe. Designed by Jewish architect Alessandro Antonelli —after whom it is named—the building was originally intended to be a synagogue. Completed in 1889, it underwent multiple modifications over the decades. It wasn’t until 1961, during the centennial celebrations of Italy’s unification, that the panoramic elevator was added, making it a true landmark of the city.

Explore Turin and Its Landmarks

Beyond the Cinema Museum and the Mole Antonelliana, Turin offers several must-visit sites:

• Museum of Radio and Television: building on Turin’s deep connection to cinema, the city also has a special history with radio and television. In 1939, the Italian Broadcasting Corporation (EIAR)—the forerunner of RAI—was founded here. Located inside the RAI Production Center, the Museum of Radio and Television was established in 1993, showcasing priceless artifacts that trace the evolution of broadcasting from its origins to the present.
  
  

• National Egyptian Museum: this is the world’s oldest and most famous museum entirely dedicated to Ancient Egypt, after the Cairo one. With over 40,000 artifacts spanning from the Paleolithic era to the Coptic period, it houses 24 mummies, ancient papyri, and numerous written records.
  
  

• Venaria Reale Palace: commissioned by Duke Carlo Emanuele II of Savoy in the 17th century, this royal palace was originally designed as a hunting lodge. Today, it is one of the most important Savoy residences in Piedmont. Nicknamed the “cousin” of the Palace of Versailles, the Venaria Reale features breathtaking gardens, permanent exhibitions, and special cultural events throughout the year.