Science and technology are culture. Breaking down walls that, perhaps, never had a serious reason for existing, Politecnico promotes its disciplines as an essential voice in the national and international cultural exchange, equal to - and in dialogue with - all other forms of knowledge. As the motto of the Biennale Tecnologia goes: "Technology and/is humanity". Thus, Politecnico contributes to the growth, especially cultural, but also civic, democratic, and economic, not only of its academic community but also of society as a whole with meetings, events, and activities that centre learning, the exchange of knowledge and points of view, intellectual and civic exchange, and reflection on the great issues of our era.
As part of cultural activities, meetings between people have great importance: whether workshops between a restricted number of scholars or large conferences, academic meetings or those open to the public, but also meetings organised centrally, by individual members of the academic community or external organisations, events play a central role in developing critical thought and internal exchange within the scientific community and in its dialogue with society. To this end, Politecnico organises, in addition to numerous appointments throughout the year, specific cycles of meetings as well; these are precisely aimed at disseminating polytechnic culture and cultural growth within and outside the academic community.
Historical collections, archival collections, artistic installations, and other collection pieces find room, on a cyclical basis, in Politecnico spaces: another way to spread polytechnic culture through unconventional languages and forms.
The Geo-Mineralogical Museum of Politecnico di Torino is the first example of a permanent exhibition within the University. The Museum stems from the desire of the Department of Environment, Land and Infrastructure Engineering-DIATI to display and give access to its own scientific and historical heritage.
The exhibition project recounts almost 170 years of history of technology by displaying materials of great value that have marked the history of the university and the advancements of science. Sharing these valuable scientific and technological collections with the public is a living historical testimony of the value of research as the driving force of society.
A series of musical events as part of Polincontri Musica 2024/2025 season. The initiative was born in 2023 from the collaboration between Politecnico di Torino and Polincontri Association and aims to promote music knowledge and enrich the cultural offerings for all staff and student community. Each concert is accompanied by a commentary by the performer himself or a student musician who offers the public the tools to contextualize it, enjoy it and understand the peculiarities of its genre.
Founded in 1859, Politecnico di Torino is the oldest polytechnic university in Italy. As testimony to these more than 160 years of history, the University possesses a rich series of collections, assets, unique prototypes, and technological tools of the past, gathered, for the most part, for teaching purposes and made available to the public via shows, online tools, and in the libraries. But the history of Politecnico is, above all, represented by its seat of Valentino Castle (Castello del Valentino), the Savoy residence that is a UNESCO world heritage site. The castle is an example of historic spaces being lived in, on a daily basis, for the Politecnico’s teaching and research activities.