The Italian culture ministry earmarked €5million to fix the leaning tower of Bologna, which has been cordoned off amid fears it may topple.
The work to repair and secure the Garisenda tower will run until June 2026, said Culture Undersecretary Lucia Borgonzoni. This is a considerably tighter timeline and budget than previously quoted by Bologna’s mayor, Matteo Lepore.
Lepore said it would take 10 years and €20million to fix the precariously leaning tower of Bologna. It was cordoned off in October over fear of its collapse.
The Garisenda is one of two towers standing side by side in the heart of Bologna, and symbols of the Emilian capital.
The 48m Garisenda, which stands alongside the 97m Torre degli Asinelli in the ancient heart of Bologna, is in a worrying state of stability, Borgonzoni said in October.
The Bologna towers
Constructed during the Middle Ages, Bologna’s iconic towers served a dual purpose of military functionality—primarily signalling and defence. They also symbolised the social prestige of the families responsible for their construction.
Asinelli Tower (Torre degli Asinelli)
Built between 1109 and 1119 by the family sharing its name, the Asinelli Tower was entrusted to the Municipality in the subsequent century. Climbing its 498 internal steps reveals breathtaking views from its 97.02-meter summit, showcasing the grandeur associated with the family’s social standing.
Garisenda Tower (Torre Garisenda)
Constructed at the same time as the other tower, Torre Garisenda stands at a comparatively modest height of 47 meters. Notable for its steep incline caused by land subsidence and foundation issues, fears of collapse led to its reduction in height during the 14th century. Dante immortalised it in Canto XXXI of the Inferno.
