The skyline of Bologna is instantly recognizable thanks to Le Due Torri, the Asinelli and the Garisenda. Rising at the entrance of the ancient Via Emilia, these two medieval towers have defined the city for nearly a thousand years.

During the Middle Ages, Bologna was once home to between 100 and 180 towers. Today, only about twenty remain, making Le Due Torri powerful reminders of a time when architecture was a statement of wealth, rivalry, and political influence.

The Two Towers at a Glance

Torre degli Asinelli

The Asinelli Tower stands 97.2 meters tall, making it the tallest leaning medieval tower in the world. Built between 1109 and 1119, it leans gently at about 1.3 degrees.

When open to visitors, the tower can be climbed via 498 narrow wooden steps. The ascent is physically demanding, but the payoff is a panoramic view across Bologna’s rooftops, Piazza Maggiore, and the surrounding Emilia Romagna hills. Sunset is widely considered the best time to climb, when the city glows in warm terracotta tones.

Torre della Garisenda

Shorter but far more dramatic, the Garisenda Tower rises 48 meters and leans at an astonishing 4 degrees, even more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Originally built to around 60 meters, its upper portion was dismantled in the 14th century due to structural instability.

The tower earned literary fame when Dante Alighieri referenced it in the Inferno, using its unsettling tilt as a metaphor for a giant bending forward.

Why the Towers Were Built

Aerial view of Bologna Cathedral and towers towering above of the roofs of Old Town in medieval city Bologna in the sunny day, Emilia-Romagna, Italy

Symbols of Power and Defense

Le Due Torri were constructed by the Asinelli and Garisenda families during the Investiture Controversy, a period marked by conflict between secular and religious authorities. Towers served as fortified residences, lookout points, and visible demonstrations of family power.

Their location at the entrance of the ancient Via Emilia allowed families to control movement through the city and monitor potential threats.

A City of Towers

At its medieval peak, Bologna rivaled modern skylines in density. Several towers once stood in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana alone, though most were demolished over the centuries as they became unsafe or obsolete.

Science, War, and Survival

A Scientific Landmark

In the 17th century, physicist Giovanni Battista Guglielmini conducted experiments from the Asinelli Tower, dropping objects to study Earth’s rotation. His findings predated similar experiments elsewhere in Europe by decades.

Enduring Through Conflict

Both towers survived lightning strikes, medieval fires, and World War II. During the war, Allied pilots reportedly joked about trying to hit the towers, yet they emerged structurally intact.

Engineering Challenges and Conservation

The Garisenda’s Fragile Foundation

The Garisenda rests on a base of selenite, a gypsum-based stone that has deteriorated over centuries due to humidity, heat, and pollution. Fires in the Middle Ages altered the stone’s structure, leading to internal weakening.

Modern conservation efforts include steel reinforcement, containment belts, and constant structural monitoring to prevent further movement.

Monitoring the Asinelli

The Asinelli is so sensitive that it can detect distant seismic activity. Engineers use advanced sensors to track even the smallest structural changes, ensuring long-term preservation.

Visiting Le Due Torri Today

Location and Access

Le Due Torri are located in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, in the heart of Bologna’s historic center. Access to the Asinelli Tower, when available, requires advance booking due to limited capacity.

There are no elevators, and the climb is not suitable for visitors with limited mobility or certain medical conditions.

Experiencing the Area

Even without climbing, the surrounding piazza is one of the most atmospheric places in the city, especially in the evening when the towers are illuminated and local life fills the square.

Curious Facts About the Two Towers

Local Legends and Traditions

A long-standing student superstition claims that climbing the Asinelli before graduating may prevent you from earning your degree. Many local students still avoid the climb until after commencement.

Fun Historical Details

In 1513, a celebratory cannon shot accidentally struck the Asinelli during festivities for a newly elected pope, and the tower barely flinched. Locals have also calculated that it would take more than 12,000 strands of cooked tagliatelle laid side by side to match the height of the Asinelli.

Planning Your Time in Bologna

Getting Around

Bologna is compact and best explored on foot, with miles of covered porticoes that protect pedestrians from sun and rain. The local bus system offers a reliable alternative for longer distances.

When to Visit

Late summer and early fall offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds, making them ideal seasons for exploring the historic center.

For a broader itinerary, exploring things to do in Bologna can help you combine Le Due Torri with museums, food markets, and nearby excursions.

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Le Due Torri are a defining symbol of Bologna, but they are only one part of the city’s story. With Exoticca, travelers can experience Bologna as part of thoughtfully designed trips and itineraries that highlight Italy’s cultural and regional diversity.

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