{"id":152570,"date":"2023-12-04T15:39:48","date_gmt":"2023-12-04T11:39:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/?p=152570"},"modified":"2023-12-08T13:04:49","modified_gmt":"2023-12-08T09:04:49","slug":"bologna-italy-two-towers-asinelli-garisenda","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.headout.com\/blog\/bologna-italy-two-towers-asinelli-garisenda\/","title":{"rendered":"Is the \u2018Leaning Tower\u2019 really falling? Read about the Garisenda Tower of Bologna"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you read the reports about the “Leaning Tower collapse”, or are planning a quick trip to Italy before the Leaning Tower of Pisa collapses, take a deep breath in. Truth is, that the Leaning Tower of Pisa is not the one in trouble. The less popular, but equally alluring, Leaning Tower of Bologna is the one whose days look like they\u2019re numbered. Set in the heart of Bologna, a city brimming with historical allure and culinary wonders, stands the Garisenda Tower, overshadowed by its more famous cousin in Pisa.<\/p>\n

\"Asinelli<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udc49 Is the Garisenda Tower collapsing?<\/h2>\n

Today, Garisenda faces its most significant challenge yet. With its stability increasingly compromised, the city council has added a protective barrier around it to safeguard the surroundings, and to keep people away from it, should the historical structure really collapse. According to experts in this CNN report,<\/a> when exactly the tower may fall is anybody’s guess. It could be a few days, months, or really even a decade. We\u2019re hoping that the measures being taken are not just precautionary, but will really help to solidify the tower, and preserve this iconic structure. The city has embarked on an ambitious crowdfunding initiative, appealing to both locals and global history enthusiasts with the hope of preservation and of keeping a piece of Bologna’s history alive.<\/p>\n

\u2728 A Tale of Two Towers: Garisenda and Pisa<\/h2>\n

\"Emilia<\/p>\n

While the Leaning Tower of Pisa is globally renowned, Garisenda Tower deserves its fair share in the spotlight. Both towers, with their distinctive leans, often lead to a delightful mix-up. But, unlike Pisa’s bell tower, Garisenda’s lean actually has a more pronounced story. Constructed in the early 12th century, it leans at a daring four-degree angle; a tilt so significant that, by the 14th century, the tower’s height had to be reduced for safety. If you\u2019re wondering where you\u2019ve read about this, then it\u2019s from Divine Comedy when Dante Alighieri mentions it as a comparison to Antaeus. The tower, like Antaeus, apparently leans and looks over, as if judging!<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcd6 More about Asinelli and Garisenda Towers<\/h2>\n

Originally reaching skyward alongside its taller twin, the Asinelli Tower, Garisenda was a symbol of prestige and power in medieval Bologna. Standing at 47 meters, the design reflects the typical medieval tower structure, with a base of solid stone and a rise of bricks. The tower’s lean, caused by a weak foundation and the soft soil beneath, adds to its charm and architectural intrigue. Thought tragically, that might just be the building\u2019s downfall.<\/p>\n

While the Garisenda Tower itself is off-limits for now, the surrounding areas are ideal for travelers and history buffs. Bologna \u2013 and particularly the area around Garisenda and Asinelli \u2013 is a treasure trove. Buzzing with life in current times, but against a backdrop of medieval history, it is a delight to walk through.<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udccdHere\u2019s what to see in Bologna<\/h2>\n

\"Family<\/p>\n