Museo Nazionale del Cinema

Lonely Planet review

In 2000, the Mole Antonelliana tower became home to the multifloored Museo Nazionale del Cinema, which takes you on a fantastic tour through cinematic history - from the earliest magic lanterns, stereoscopes and other optical toys to the present day. Movie memorabilia on display includes Marilyn Monroe's black lace bustier, Peter O'Toole's robe from Lawrence of Arabia and the coffin used by Bela Lugosi's Dracula .

At the heart of the museum, the vast Temple Hall is surrounded by 10 interactive 'chapels' devoted to various film genres. There are, of course, plenty of films to watch, from vintage peepshows such as Seminary Girls (1897), to contemporary avant-garde animation, as well as endless buttons to push.

Just as remarkable as the museum itself is the building in which it is housed - the Mole Antonelliana. Intended as a synagogue when it was started in 1862, this extraordinary structure - 167m (548ft) tall - is the symbol of Turin, and appears on the Italian two-cent coin. Capped by an aluminium spire, this is engineering as art form. There is even a glass panoramic lift, which silently whisks visitors up to the Mole's stunning roof terrace in 59 seconds.