Mole Antonelliana is the main symbol of the city and of the symbol of Italy worldwide. The monument is depicted on several euro coins and, in 2006, formed a part of the official Olympic Games’ logo. Mole Antonelliana is the highest building in the center of Turin, being 167.5 meters high.
For a long time, the Mole was the highest stone building in Europe but, during the twentieth century reconstruction, when ferroconcrete and steel beams were used, the monument lost its “only stone” status.
The tower is named after an architect, Alessandro Antonelli
Originally, the Mole was erected as the synagogue of Turin. When, in 1848, in Italy, freedom of religion was proclaimed, the Jewish community bought the land in this zone. The original synagogue project was only 47 meters high, but when Antonelli was chosen as the architect, the project significantly changed. The construction began in 1863 and, six years later, it stopped, at a height of 70 meters due to financial problems.
In 1873, the city of Turin bought the land and the building so that Antonelli could continue his work. It was a mixture of the neo-Gothic and neoclassical styles. During the construction work, the architect modified the project several times, so the Mole that was planned to be only 113 meters high became 146 meters in 1884, even without a steeple.
Four years later, after the earthquake in Turin, the Mole was completed, reaching a height of 163.35 meters. The top of the steeple was finished after the death of Antonelli by his son Costanzo and one of his followers, Crescentino Caselli. The official inauguration of the Mole took place on April 10 1889, topped with a statue of Genius with a star on his head of about four meters, making a total height 167.5 meters. The citizens of Turin call this golden statue simply an “angel.”
Today, the Mole Antonelliana hosts one of the most visited museums in Italy – the National Museum of Cinema. It is also possible to reach the roof of the Mole by elevator to enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the city and the nearby 4000-meter-high mountains.
For a long time, the Mole was the highest stone building in Europe but, during the twentieth century reconstruction, when ferroconcrete and steel beams were used, the monument lost its “only stone” status.
The tower is named after an architect, Alessandro Antonelli
Originally, the Mole was erected as the synagogue of Turin. When, in 1848, in Italy, freedom of religion was proclaimed, the Jewish community bought the land in this zone. The original synagogue project was only 47 meters high, but when Antonelli was chosen as the architect, the project significantly changed. The construction began in 1863 and, six years later, it stopped, at a height of 70 meters due to financial problems.
In 1873, the city of Turin bought the land and the building so that Antonelli could continue his work. It was a mixture of the neo-Gothic and neoclassical styles. During the construction work, the architect modified the project several times, so the Mole that was planned to be only 113 meters high became 146 meters in 1884, even without a steeple.
Four years later, after the earthquake in Turin, the Mole was completed, reaching a height of 163.35 meters. The top of the steeple was finished after the death of Antonelli by his son Costanzo and one of his followers, Crescentino Caselli. The official inauguration of the Mole took place on April 10 1889, topped with a statue of Genius with a star on his head of about four meters, making a total height 167.5 meters. The citizens of Turin call this golden statue simply an “angel.”
Today, the Mole Antonelliana hosts one of the most visited museums in Italy – the National Museum of Cinema. It is also possible to reach the roof of the Mole by elevator to enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the city and the nearby 4000-meter-high mountains.
