Mayor Matteo Lepore revealed plans at a press conference on Wednesday for the stabilisation of Bologna’s iconic Garisenda Tower. As part of the initiative, scaffolding and equipment previously employed in the restoration of the Leaning Tower of Pisa will be used.
Bologna is borrowing scaffolding and equipment previously used to stabilise the Leaning Tower of Pisa in a $20 million effort to prevent the Garisenda tower from collapsing entirely.
The strategy involves running supports across the mid-section of the tower, connecting them to two pulley systems anchored in the ground. This innovative approach aims to reinforce the tower’s structural integrity and stabilise its precarious lean. However, it is only a preliminary step, as further consolidation and restoration work are planned for 2025 and 2026.
“In 2025 and 2026, there will be further consolidation and restoration work, which still needs to be planned,” stated Mayor Lepore.
Read: Italy’s other leaning towers
The Garisenda Tower, along with its companion, the Torre degli Asinelli, has stood as a symbol of Bologna since the Middle Ages. Originally constructed for military signalling and city defence, these towers also served as symbols of prestige and power.
Today, they continue to attract tourists from around the world, showcasing the rich history and architectural heritage of the Emilian capital.
