Le Due Torri
Bologna
Tall, crooked and inseparable, the Two Towers are the symbol of Bologna: the Torre degli Asinelli and the Garisenda rise at the crossroads of the ancient streets that led to the city gates. They are the most famous survivors of the “towered” Bologna of the Middle Ages. Your treasure map takes you to the feet of the two brick giants.
History
According to tradition the Two Towers were built between 1109 and 1119 by the Asinelli and Garisendi families, at a time when the most powerful families raised towers for defence and prestige: in the Middle Ages Bologna had perhaps a hundred of them. In the 14th century the Comune bought the Torre degli Asinelli and used it as a prison and stronghold. The Garisenda, which was sinking into its foundation soil, was lowered in the same century from about 60 to 48 metres.
What to see
The Torre degli Asinelli, 97.2 metres tall, leans westwards by more than two metres and is the tallest leaning tower in Italy. Next to it, the Garisenda is shorter but leans far more: its top overhangs by more than three metres.
Curiosities
The Garisenda struck Dante, who recalls it in the Divine Comedy and in a sonnet. Since November 2015 the two towers have been lit at night by a special lighting system, visible from many corners of the city.
Visiting
The towers stand in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, a few minutes' walk from Piazza Maggiore. Since 2023 the Garisenda has been closed and surrounded by a containment barrier for consolidation work; before going, check the official Bologna Welcome website to see whether the paid climb up the Torre degli Asinelli is open.
