Turin
Mole & Vanchiglia
The Mole Antonelliana neighbourhood: the National Cinema Museum inside the 167-metre spire, the world's second-best Egyptian collection a few blocks away, and Vanchiglia emerging as Turin's gallery and natural wine bar district.
About Mole & Vanchiglia
The Mole Antonelliana is the visual anchor of this neighbourhood and of Turin: a 167-metre tower visible from most of the city, built as a synagogue in 1863, never completed for that purpose, and eventually assigned to the National Cinema Museum (EUR 15). The panoramic lift inside the tower (EUR 8 extra) rises through the centre of the spire to the terrace at 85 metres. The Egyptian Museum (EUR 18) is 5 minutes south at Via Accademia delle Scienze: the Tomb of Kha (intact since 1400 BC), 8 royal mummies, and the Ramesses II statue are the highlights. Vanchiglia is the neighbourhood on the Po river east of the Mole, currently the emerging gallery and natural wine bar district. The Po riverfront here is quieter and more local than the Valentino side.
Things to Do
Top experiences in Mole & Vanchiglia
Basilica di Superga
This hilltop Baroque basilica sits 672 meters above Turin, designed by master architect Filippo Juvarra in the 1710s as the Savoy royal family's mausoleum. You'll explore the ornate church interior with its soaring dome, then descend to the crypts where Italian royalty lies buried in marble sarcophagi. The real draw is the panoramic terrace: on clear days you can see the entire Alps arc from Monte Rosa to the Maritime Alps, with Turin's grid spread out below like a map. The historic rack tramway from Sassi takes 20 minutes, climbing through vineyards and forests while the city shrinks behind you. Inside the basilica, the atmosphere shifts from tourist chatter to reverent quiet as you enter the royal tombs. Behind the building, a simple memorial plaque marks where the Grande Torino football team died in 1949 when their plane crashed into the hillside. The contrast between the opulent royal burial chambers and this modest sports memorial feels uniquely Italian. Most visitors rush through the basilica in 30 minutes, but you need at least two hours to appreciate both the architecture and views properly. The tram costs €4 each way, though driving up saves money if you're in a group. Skip the overpriced cafe on site and bring snacks. The basilica interior closes for Mass on Sunday mornings, but the views remain accessible. Weather makes or breaks this trip: on hazy days you'll see nothing but gray soup where the Alps should be.
Mole Antonelliana and National Cinema Museum
Turin's strangest architectural story stands 167 meters tall in the city center: the Mole Antonelliana started as a synagogue in 1863, bankrupted the Jewish community who commissioned it, got abandoned mid-construction, then became the city's accidental monument. Today it houses Europe's most creative cinema museum, where you'll explore film history through immersive installations rather than boring chronological displays. The horror cave genuinely startles, the 1930s monster movie room captures Hollywood's golden age perfectly, and the melodrama chapel feels like stepping into a soap opera set. You enter through the base and spiral upward through themed rooms that feel more like theater sets than traditional museum spaces. The installations use original equipment: zoetropes from the 1830s, Lumière brothers' projectors, and contemporary digital displays that respond to your movement. The building's soaring interior amplifies every sound, creating an almost cathedral-like atmosphere that makes the film artifacts feel sacred. The glass panoramic lift shoots through the tower's center to the 85-meter viewing platform, offering Alpine views that extend to Mont Blanc on clear days. Most visitors rush through to reach the lift, but the museum deserves the full two hours even if you're not a film buff. Skip the gift shop (overpriced movie posters) and invest the EUR 8 extra for the lift: the view justifies the cost and the ride itself is thrilling. The EUR 15 museum entry feels steep until you experience how thoughtfully everything's designed. Closed Mondays, and weekend mornings are surprisingly quiet compared to afternoons.
Where to Eat
Restaurants and cafes in Mole & Vanchiglia
Caffè Elena
RestaurantOne of the best aperitivo spots in Turin, serving elaborate buffets that include pasta dishes, vegetable preparations, and quality charcuterie alongside your EUR 10 drink. The Belle Époque interior has original stucco work and mirrored walls. Popular with university professors and well-dressed locals in their 30s and 40s.
Caffè Vanchiglia
CafeCozy neighborhood café in the heart of Vanchiglia, known for its excellent coffee and relaxed bohemian atmosphere. Popular with locals for breakfast, aperitivo, and weekend brunch with a creative menu featuring seasonal ingredients.
Nightlife
Bars and nightlife in Mole & Vanchiglia
Getting Here
On Foot
Flat, 15 minutes from Piazza Castello.
Insider Tips
Egyptian Museum: the Tomb of Kha
The Tomb of Kha (Room 8, upper floor) is the most important object in the museum. Kha was the architect of Amenhotep II, buried with his wife Merit in 1400 BC, discovered intact in 1906 with all furniture, tools, clothing, and food offerings still in position. The museum has installed the room to replicate the original chamber dimensions. Allow 30 minutes here alone. Everything else is a bonus.
Mole lift vs museum
The panoramic lift (EUR 8, or EUR 20 for lift only without the full museum entry) goes to 85 metres and has a glass floor section at the top. On clear days the Alps are visible, including Mont Blanc 130 km west. The Cinema Museum (EUR 15 total) is worth the full visit: the installation is original and the collection is comprehensive. The room dedicated to 1930s Hollywood monsters is genuinely effective.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Continue exploring
Centro & Piazza Castello
The Savoy royal centre: Piazza Castello with the Royal Palace and Palazzo Madama, Caffè Al Bicerin (since 1763), Piazza San Carlo with twin churches and historic cafes, and the Baroque arcades of Via Roma.
Quadrilatero Romano & Porta Palazzo
The Roman grid neighbourhood: Porta Palazzo (the largest open-air market in Europe, every morning), the best aperitivo density in Turin, trattorias, and the multicultural character from the North African and Eastern European communities.
San Salvario & Valentino
The student and multicultural neighbourhood south of the station: cheap eats, craft beer bars, weekend nightlife, and Parco del Valentino along the Po river with the reconstructed medieval village.
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