Name: Two Towers
Address: P.za di Porta Ravegnana, 40126 Bologna BO, Italy
Rating: 4.7

Landmark symbols of the city built by noble families in the 12th century, offering city views.

Piazza del Duomo

pier macri

Ralph Hershberger

David Schmucki

Szabo Istvan

Ponte Vecchio

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Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore

Piazzale Michelangelo

Piazza della Signoria

Ervin Lulja

David José Scarabelotti júnior

Brunella Spinelli

Abderrazzak Zahri

Jonas Stankus

Bologna is famous for its Two Towers, the Asinelli and the Garisenda, which are both leaning and stand as symbols of the city.

Tower Count

The Asinelli Tower is the taller of the two, reaching a height of 97.2 meters (319 feet).

The Taller Tower

The Garisenda Tower is shorter than the Asinelli, but it leans more dramatically, making it a unique and intriguing sight.

The More Leaning Tower

The construction of the Two Towers may have been a competition between two families to demonstrate their power and wealth.

Possible Construction Motive

The Two Towers are believed to have been built between 1109 and 1119, during a period of significant growth and prosperity in Bologna.

Construction Period

Two Towers

The Two Towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, stand as enduring symbols of Bologna's medieval ambition and architectural daring. Asinelli, the taller of the two, leans precariously, a testament to the soft ground and the audacious height achieved in the 12th century. Its construction, legend suggests, was financed by a wealthy nobleman seeking to impress his future father-in-law. Garisenda, significantly shorter and even more inclined, was deliberately truncated in the 14th century due to structural instability.

Interestingly, local lore dictates that students who climb Asinelli before graduating will fail their exams, a superstition that adds a layer of playful anxiety to the breathtaking panoramic views from its summit. The towers were not merely status symbols; they served as strategic defensive structures during a period of intense urban rivalry and conflict. Their existence speaks volumes about the power and wealth concentrated in Bologna during the medieval era, a time when families vied to build the tallest and most imposing tower, showcasing their influence and dominance. The towers' distinct lean, a result of ground subsidence, makes them a captivating subject for structural engineers and a constant reminder of the challenges faced by medieval builders.

Introduction

The Two Towers, Asinelli and Garisenda, stand as quintessential emblems of Bologna, embodying the city's spirit, vibrant pulse, and exquisite charm. They narrate tales of power, resilience, and architectural brilliance, dominating Bologna’s skyline as beacons of its past and testaments to its endurance. These towers symbolize Bologna's golden past, representing artistic ingenuity meshed with historical depth.

Constructed in the medieval age, the towers initially served as status symbols for wealthy families, demonstrating their power and prestige. Beyond mere displays, they functioned as watchtowers and defensive structures. The height of the Asinelli Tower and the inclination of the Garisenda became integral to Bologna's identity, immortalized in literature and art. Dante Alighieri referenced the Garisenda in his ‘Divine Comedy,’ while Umberto Eco alluded to the Asinelli in ‘The Name of the Rose.’ Their image also appears in the videogame ‘Assassin’s Creed’, underscoring their fascinating appeal across various forms of media and culture.

The towers' presence at the intersection of roads leading to the old city walls further solidifies their symbolic importance. The Asinelli Tower, in particular, has served practical purposes throughout history, including use as a strategic lookout, a prison, and a site for scientific observations. Today, the Two Towers remain integral to Bologna's tourism, attracting millions annually and significantly contributing to the local economy. They are more than just structures; they are timeless legends painted against Bologna’s sky.

Symbolism in Bologna

Bologna has initiated a "Save The Towers" campaign to preserve its iconic Asinelli and Garisenda towers, symbols of the Emilia Romagna region. The municipality of Bologna, supported by corporate and private sectors, launched a crowdfunding effort with an online funding campaign to address the immediate need for preservation and restoration. A scientific committee, monitoring the towers since 2019, raised concerns about cracks at the base of the Garisenda tower, leading to a "high alert" status.

Following the detection of a southward lean in the Garisenda tower, Italian police sealed off the surrounding area. A containment barrier was constructed to protect the public and the urban landscape, marking the initial phase of securing the tower before the commencement of repairs in 2024. Bologna Mayor Matteo Lepore estimates the restoration project will cost 20 million Euros and last ten years. He has also requested the government to petition for UNESCO World Heritage recognition for both towers.

The fundraising campaign utilizes Italy’s “Art Bonus” scheme, offering donors a 65 percent tax deduction. Contributions have come from the Emilia-Romagna region, the federal government’s Covid recovery funds, and Bologna-based private companies. A dedicated website, available in Italian and English, seeks donations for the restoration and safety improvements of the Garisenda tower, as well as the maintenance of the Asinelli tower. Italian celebrities, including Gianni Morandi, Cesare Cremonini, and Matilda De Angelis, are promoting the international effort to save the towers.

Restoration and Preservation Efforts

Dating back to the medieval age, the Two Towers of Bologna, the Asinelli and the Garisenda, stand as testaments to a period when the city was dotted with approximately 100 similar structures. Erected between 1109 and 1119, these towers are named after the families credited with their construction, symbolizing wealth, power, and serving defensive purposes. The taller Asinelli Tower, originally around 70 meters, was raised to its current height of 97.2 meters, leaning at an inclination of 1.3 meters, showcasing the architectural prowess of the era.

Conversely, the Garisenda Tower, initially built to 60 meters, was later reduced to 48 meters in the 14th century due to significant leaning caused by soil subsidence, a detail immortalized in Dante Alighieri’s 'Divine Comedy'. Throughout the 14th century, the Asinelli Tower transitioned into city property, functioning as both a prison and a stronghold. A wooden structure, added around the tower at approximately 30 meters, connected it to the Garisenda Tower via an aerial footbridge, attributed to Giovanni Visconti, Duke of Milan, who sought to control the turbulent Mercato di Mezzo.

Over the centuries, the Asinelli Tower faced damage from lightning strikes, resulting in fires and collapses, leading to the installation of a lightning rod in 1824. During World War II, from 1943 to 1945, the tower served as a sight post, where volunteers directed rescue operations during bombing attacks.

Historical Significance

The Towers of Bologna, particularly the Asinelli and Garisenda, stand as enduring symbols of medieval Bologna, Italy, reflecting the cultural aspirations and artistic expressions of the families who commissioned them. Built in the 12th century, these towers were not merely defensive structures but potent displays of power and influence, embodying the competitive spirit of Bolognese society. The pronounced lean of the Garisenda Tower, a result of unstable ground, has inadvertently transformed it into an iconic, albeit unintentional, work of art, capturing the imagination of artists and visitors alike. The Asinelli Tower, the taller of the two, offers panoramic views of Bologna, inspiring countless artistic renderings of the city's skyline. The towers have been featured in numerous paintings, photographs, and literary works, each capturing a unique perspective on their historical and cultural significance. Their architectural distinctiveness has also influenced modern design and artistic interpretations, solidifying their place as cultural icons. The Towers of Bologna continue to inspire awe and artistic expression, serving as a testament to the enduring legacy of medieval artistry and ambition.

Cultural and Artistic Depictions

The Garisenda Tower in Bologna, one of the city's "twin towers," faces significant structural challenges due to its pronounced lean. Streets around the Garisenda have been sealed off as scientists monitor the monument for evidence of cracking and movement, using acoustic sensors to detect stress noises and a pendulum to track movement. Built in the 12th century on soft soil, the 48-meter tower leans at a four-degree angle, nearing Pisa's five-degree tilt. This inclination, evident by the early 14th century, necessitated a height reduction for safety.

The city has blocked off the area around the towers to conduct further monitoring and install sensors to gather precise data. These tests aim to determine if the tower's movements exceed its normal oscillations. Concerns about the tower's stability have prompted Bologna's council to establish a special committee to oversee its restoration, seeking national and international expertise. The foundations will be reinforced with new materials to enhance the structure's security. A crowdfunding initiative has been launched to help preserve the iconic structure. While the Garisenda Tower is currently inaccessible, efforts are underway to solidify the tower and preserve Bologna's history.

Inclination and Structural Challenges

The Due Torri, Asinelli and Garisenda, in Bologna exemplify medieval construction ingenuity and challenges. Built in the 12th century, their construction reveals insights into the period's engineering capabilities. The Asinelli Tower, originally 230 feet and later extended, showcases the technique of building tall structures incrementally. This involved continuous addition of brick layers, a testament to the builders' ability to manage increasing height and weight. The Garisenda Tower, half the size, highlights the era's struggle with soil stability. Its steep four-degree incline, resulting from land subsidence soon after construction, underscores the geological challenges medieval builders faced and their limited understanding of soil mechanics.

The towers' survival through fires, lightning, and wartime bombings speaks to the durability of medieval materials and construction methods. The ongoing efforts to save the towers involve scientific committees monitoring cracks and structural integrity, reflecting modern concerns about the long-term viability of these ancient techniques. The towers' construction also involved the use of local materials, demonstrating resourcefulness and adaptation to available resources. The fact that the towers served various purposes, including prisons and communication beacons, illustrates the adaptability of medieval architecture to evolving societal needs. The towers stand as a reminder of the ambition and skill of medieval builders, as well as the inherent risks and limitations of their time.

Two Towers

Did You Know?

Tower Count

The Taller Tower

The More Leaning Tower

Possible Construction Motive

Highlights from Reviews

Location