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National Cinema Museum: The Temple of Cinema in Turin

28/06/2026 - By - Art, Culture, Family, Weekend

Set inside the iconic Mole Antonelliana, the National Cinema Museum of Turin is a fascinating journey through the history of the seventh art, from magic lanterns to modern special effects. With over two million artifacts – including cameras, posters, costumes, and films – it offers a spiral interactive path that enchants visitors of all ages. And don’t forget to take the panoramic elevator for a breathtaking view of the city and the Alps.

Unique collection: over 30,000 films, 1.5 million photos, and 535,000 posters.
Interactive path: themed rooms, screenings, and the spectacular Aula del Tempio.
Temporary exhibitions: including ‘My Name Is Orson Welles’ until October 2026.
Tickets: museum €16, combined with elevator €20; free for disabled and under 6.

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Copertina itinerario National Cinema Museum: The Temple of Cinema in Turin
Housed in the iconic Mole Antonelliana, the National Cinema Museum of Turin tells the story of cinema through an interactive journey, unique collections, and a panoramic view from the dome.

Good to know


  • Introduction
  • Historical Background
  • Brief Timeline
  • A Spiraling Journey Through History and Technology
  • The Collection: A Heritage to Discover
  • Why Visit
  • When to Visit
  • Nearby

    • Introduction

    There’s a place in Turin where cinema isn’t just seen on screens, but breathed within its walls. The National Cinema Museum, inside the Mole Antonelliana, is a vertical journey through the seventh art. As you spiral upwards among magic lanterns, costumes, and immersive projections, you feel like you’re inside a movie. And then, when the glass elevator takes you up 85 meters, the view of the city and the Alps takes your breath away. A secular temple, made of images and memories.
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    Historical Background

    It all began in 1941, when scholar Maria Adriana Prolo started collecting film memorabilia. After an initial opening at Palazzo Chiablese in 1958 and a long closure, the museum found its home in the Mole Antonelliana in 2000. Today, it holds over two million artifacts, including films, posters, and cameras. Here are the key moments:
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    Brief Timeline

    • 1941: Maria Adriana Prolo founds the collection
    • 1953: The Cinema Museum Association is founded
    • 1958: First public opening
    • 1985: Palazzo Chiablese closes
    • 1992: Founding of the Maria Adriana Prolo Foundation
    • 2000: Reopening at the Mole Antonelliana
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    A Spiraling Journey Through History and Technology

    The exhibit is a spectacle. It starts on the ground floor with Archaeology of Cinema: shadow puppets, magic lanterns, optical boxes. Then you ascend a spiral ramp surrounded by videos, posters, and sets. The heart is the Aula del Tempio, where you lie down on red seats to watch a short film as the dome lights up. Each level tells a piece of cinema history: from the Lumière brothers to special effects, passing through Cabiria and Turin’s silent cinema.
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    The Collection: A Heritage to Discover

    The museum is not just an exhibition, but a vast archive. The Film Library houses over 30,000 films, the Photo Library over a million images. There are 535,000 posters, and costumes, sketches, and cameras. Among the highlights is the Lumière brothers’ cinematograph. Don’t miss the temporary exhibition “My Name Is Orson Welles” (until October 5, 2026) and the Poster Gallery, which alone is worth the visit.
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    Why Visit

    Three reasons not to skip it. First: the view from the dome. The panoramic elevator takes you up 85 meters, offering a unique view of Turin and the Alps. Second: the interactivity. Here you can try out antique optical toys, sit in a director’s chair, and even see how a film set works. Third: the temporary exhibitions of high quality, such as the one on Orson Welles, make every visit different.
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    When to Visit

    The museum is open all year round, closed on Tuesdays. The most magical time? Late afternoon, when golden light filters through the dome and the crowds thin out. If you go on a Saturday, you can stay until 11:00 PM and see the Mole lit up. For the panoramic view, choose a clear day: the Alps seem just a step away.
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    Nearby

    Just a few steps from the Mole, you’ll find Cinema Massimo (Via Verdi, 18), with three screens where the museum screens art-house films and retrospectives. It’s the perfect place to extend your cinematic experience. If you feel like a stroll, the Quadrilatero Romano is full of bars and artisan shops.
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    💡 Did You Know…?

    Few people know that the spectacular spiral ramp of the museum was designed by set designer François Confino, who aimed to recreate a dreamlike journey through cinema. Moreover, on the dome of the Mole, the sculpture ‘The Flight of Numbers’ by Mario Merz celebrates the beginning of the Fibonacci sequence, a tribute to infinity. Don’t miss the original Lumière brothers’ cinematograph, a rare piece that bears witness to the dawn of the seventh art.