The Mole Antonelliana is the architectural symbol of Turin, my city. In 1873, at a height of 167 metres (556 ft), it was the tallest building in Europe.

Friedrich Nietzsche was enthusiastic about it:

Just a minute ago I passed the Mole Antonelliana, the most ingenious building ever built. (1) 

The philosopher loved its uselessness. It embodied the main features of art, which should be

deriding, light, aloof, divinely undisturbed, divinely ingenious, just like a live fire burns in a cloudless sky.

Its construction work began in 1863. Originally designed as a synagogue, the building work became more and more expensive; for this reason, the building was modified and its size – as far as the building was getting higher – was gradually and inexorably reduced, to end with a very high steeple.

In a way, Mole can be looked at with a mathematical gaze as a chart representing (x) time and (y) money available for its construction.

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