Due Torri | Bologna

Information

Landmark: Due Torri
City: Bologna
Country: Italy
Continent: Europe

Due Torri, Bologna, Italy, Europe

The Two Towers (Le Due Torri) are the primary architectural symbols of Bologna, located at the junction of the five ancient streets that radiate toward the city's gates. They consist of the Torre degli Asinelli and the shorter, more severely leaning Torre Garisenda.

Visual Characteristics

The Torre degli Asinelli stands at 97.2 meters with a 1.3-degree lean. The Torre Garisenda is 48 meters tall with a steep 4-degree lean, a result of a 14th-century shortening necessitated by soil subsidence. Both are constructed from dark red brick masonry with foundations reinforced by blocks of selenite, a translucent local gypsum.

Location & Access Logistics

The towers are situated at Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, 1.2 kilometers south of Bologna Centrale station. Bus lines 14, 19, 25, and 27 stop at "Rizzoli," 100 meters away. The site is in a pedestrian-only ZTL zone; the nearest public parking is at Piazza VIII Agosto, 0.7 kilometers North. Access to the Asinelli climb requires pre-booked, timed-entry tickets.

Historical & Ecological Origin

Built between 1109 and 1119, the towers are named after the families who commissioned them. During the 12th century, Bologna featured approximately 100 such towers, which functioned as defensive lookouts and competitive displays of familial wealth. The leaning is caused by the unstable alluvial subsoil of the Po Valley.

Key Highlights & Activities

The primary activity is ascending the 498 wooden steps of the Torre degli Asinelli. The summit provides a 360-degree view of the city's red-tiled roofs and the surrounding Apennine foothills. While the Garisenda is not open for climbing due to structural instability, its exterior serves as a prominent study of medieval engineering failure.

Infrastructure & Amenities

The Asinelli tower contains no elevator or restrooms. The wooden staircase is narrow and steep with handrails. Public Wi-Fi and 5G signals are strong throughout the piazza and at the summit. The base of the towers is surrounded by cafes, bookstores, and traditional craft shops.

Best Time to Visit

Late afternoon offers optimal lighting for photographing the cityscape from the top. The towers are open daily from 09:00 to 19:00 (shorter hours in winter). Clear, low-humidity days are preferable to ensure visibility extending to the Alps and the Adriatic coast.

Facts & Legends

Dante Alighieri referenced the leaning Garisenda tower in The Divine Comedy (Inferno, XXXI), comparing it to the giant Antaeus. A local student tradition warns that climbing the tower before graduation will prevent one from ever finishing their degree. Recent structural monitoring of the Garisenda has led to temporary closures of the surrounding piazza for stabilization work.