Bologna Landmark 'Two Towers' Smaller Tower
Gradually Leaning Since Its 12th Century Construction
The smaller of the two iconic towers in Bologna, a city in northern Italy and a popular tourist attraction, is at risk of collapse. As a result, Italian authorities have closed off the area around the tower over the weekend.
On the 23rd (local time), Luca Borgonzoni, Deputy Minister of Culture, told the local daily newspaper Quotidiano Nazionale, "Abnormal shaking was detected by sensors recently installed on the Garisenda Tower, leading to its closure."
The deputy minister added, "The recent scientific data from this tower is concerning. It seems that the private scientific committee responsible for the tower's preservation may have underestimated the situation."
The Garisenda Tower stands 48 meters tall and is believed to have been built between 1109 and 1119. Right next to it is the 97-meter-tall Asinelli Tower. These two towers, known as the "Two Towers," have served as landmarks of Bologna.
During the medieval period, countless towers like these were built in Bologna. Nobles who amassed wealth through trade competitively constructed towers to showcase their power.
However, out of the approximately 75 towers that once existed, only about 20 remain today, with the two towers being the most famous among them.
The Garisenda Tower leans about 4 degrees from its central axis. Because it was built on soft ground without proper foundational work, the tower has gradually tilted.
The Leaning Tower of Pisa, the most tilted tower in the world (5 degrees), also leans for this reason. However, thanks to ground reinforcement work carried out over 11 years from 1990 to 2001, the tilt of the Pisa Tower has slightly decreased.
The Garisenda Tower began leaning immediately after construction, and in 1350, the top 10 meters were removed due to concerns it might collapse.
As the Garisenda Tower began to lean further, structural experts conducted safety assessments. As a result, cracks signaling a potential collapse were detected, and the Bologna city authorities closed off the tower and its surrounding area to prevent public access.
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