This is Turin’s awesome and original symbol. The Mole was designed by architect Alessandro Antonelli and built between 1863 and 1889. Originally the Mole was supposed to be a Jewish temple, but the structure was later bought by the City of Turin. Today the Mole is the site of the National Museum of Cinema (which used to be housed at Palazzo Chiablese). The Mole Antonelliana is 167.5 meters tall, and atop the cupola stands the bright and controversial sculpture by Mario Merz entitled “Il volo dei numeri” (the flight of numbers). The panoramic elevator, which takes you to the balcony 85 meters above the ground in 59 seconds, gives a fantastic view of Turin. Very near the Po. |
