The Mole Antonelliana, the domed and spired building that dominates the skyline in Turin, Italy, has become the iconic image of the 2006 Winter Olympics. A stylized version of the building appears above the five Olympic rings to form the current Olympic logo. Though one might not guess it from its looks, the 530-foot-tall structure — an exuberant cross between classical and Far Eastern architecture — has a Jewish past.

The building was originally designed, with a modest dome, as a synagogue in 1863. It was a heady time, both for Turin and its Jews. The city was the capital of the newly unified Italy, and non-Catholics had just been granted religious freedom. The times were perhaps too heady for architect Alessandro Antonelli, who began to propose ever larger and more extravagant designs for the synagogue. After 10 years, the congregation ran out of patience (and money) and gave the building to the city of Turin in exchange for a new piece of land. In 1889, 26 years after he began his work, Antonelli finally finished the building (which came to be called ‘”Antonelli’s Mass”). The city of Turin dedicated the edifice to national hero and Turin native King Victor Emmanuel II, and the building served as the head office for the National Museum of the Italian Independence. Today it serves as the home for the National Cinema Museum and offers panoramic views from its roof of the surrounding city.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

A message from our Publisher & CEO Rachel Fishman Feddersen

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s award-winning, nonprofit journalism during this critical time.

The coming year promises to be filled with more complex and historic developments. We are entering an era where independent, fact-based Jewish journalism will be more important than ever. We need to be ready for whatever 2025 will bring, and with your help, we can be.

We’ve set a goal to raise $260,000 by December 31. That’s an ambitious goal, but one that will give us the resources we need to invest in the high quality news, opinion, analysis and cultural coverage that isn’t available anywhere else.

If you feel inspired to make an impact, now is the time to give something back. Join us as a member at your most generous level.

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

With your support, we’ll be ready for whatever 2025 brings.

$36 $500

$120 $180 Other amount