account Automobile Museum of Turin
Born in 1933 with the first exhibition of historic cars conceived by two Italian motorism pioneers, Cesare Goria Gatti and Roberto Biscaretti di Ruffia, the Automobile Museum of Turin (MAUTO) is among the oldest in the world of its kind. Redesigned by Amedeo Albertini between '58 and '60, restored and expanded in 2011 by the Milanese architect Cino Zucchi, it houses a collection of 200 cars, contemporary exhibitions and an Open Garage organized on three floors.
The calendar of events is very rich and satisfies the preferences of all visitors: it offers workshops dedicated to children and family activities, free, guided and special visits up to starting the cars in the garage. And furthermore: editorial presentations, concerts, conferences and private events. The MAUTO is an unforgettable experience for motor enthusiasts. The absolute must-visit place for those arriving in Turin.
How to reach the Automobile Museum of Turin
The MAUTO faces the Po in Corso Unità d’Italia 40 and is divided into various building complexes, a rare example of modern architecture. It is easily reachable from our hotel in Turin city center in just over 15 minutes by car, taking Via Settembrini, Via Vigliani and Corso Unità d’Italia or by public transport, for example with bus n°74 which goes directly to the museum.
Those arriving from outside the city directly by car and taking the Turin bypass will have to take the Corso Unità d’Italia exit and follow the signs for the Automobile Museum. The MAUTO does not have reserved parking spaces but there are free and paid areas nearby (Ventimiglia, Bacigalupo, Molinette car parks).
Those in the city can easily reach the museum also via Metro Line 1 at the Lingotto stop (a district near the Olympic Stadium of Turin) or perhaps rent a bike or a scooter. If you prefer to walk, comfortable shoes and off you go through the streets of the center to Corso Unità d’Italia. Not far away you can also treat yourself to a walk in Valentino Park where the Medieval Village of Turin is located.
The MAUTO collection of Turin
Over 200 original models from 80 brands around the world. The MAUTO collection comes to life thanks to the genius and inventiveness of Carlo Biscaretti di Ruffia who in 1933 created the oldest core of the building, with cars, chassis and engines. Every model is an example of creativity, technological excellence and national and international manufacturing skill of the great manufacturers of the twentieth century.
The cars hosted and presented to the public allow the visitor to begin an extraordinary journey starting from the genius of Leonardo da Vinci, the first to hypothesize the creation of a mechanical prototype that would allow man to move in a completely alternative way. The journey through the various environments of the collection continues with the 19th-century steam carriages and the first early 20th-century vehicles with internal combustion engines. Gradually, one notices the progressive improvement of technology and aerodynamics that reaches up to the attempt of new experiments in a sustainable key.
MAUTO visits are allowed for tourists with entrance tickets. For groups larger than ten people, booking by email is required. Overall, guided tours are available at fixed dates, classic, by reservation, and personalized.
The three floors of the Automobile Museum of Turin
The MAUTO is an extraordinary journey into history, which tells how the automobile has been able to progressively influence fashion, customs, research and technological development throughout the 20th century with a constant innovative drive. The structure is divided into three floors: The Automobile and the Twentieth Century, The Automobile and Man, Temporary Exhibitions and Design. Each shows the spectacular evolution of the car through the extraordinary scenographic contextualization created by François Confino.
Ground floor: Temporary Exhibitions and Design. A constantly evolving exhibition space that tells the unforgettable stories of great designers, the epic races of the past, adventurous car trips, the various directions of technological research but also new design trends and innovative proposals from young creatives in the automotive sector.
First floor: The Automobile and Man. A path dedicated to the relationship between the mechanical factor and the anthropic element that illustrates the great themes of the automobile: industry, sports competitions, advertising and safety technology. Eight rooms distributed over 3,800 square meters that tell the story of the relationship between mobility and man: whether he is an artisan, a driver, a mechanic or a simple motor enthusiast.
Second floor: The Automobile and the Twentieth Century. A total of 21 rooms located over 3,600 square meters tell the evolution of the automobile in the 20th century, through the links and relationships with the main political, economic, artistic and social events of the 20th century, in the context of world, Italian and Piedmontese history.
It is evident how this extraordinary technological collecting project makes MAUTO one of the extraordinary excellences among the various museums of Turin: the main one in the city and throughout Italy, which has recently also launched its own Restoration Center, for ordinary and extraordinary maintenance activities of vintage cars.
The visit to the Automobile Museum of Turin is a must-see for motor enthusiasts and for those curious to learn about the history of man and Italy through technology. Absolutely unmissable.
Come and discover it, book a stay at our B&B HOTELS in Turin and set out to conquer all the wonders of the Piedmontese capital: an extraordinary city with a timeless Savoyard soul.