The Two Towers of Bologna: storia, orari e consigli per la visita.
History
The Two Towers — Asinelli Tower and Garisenda Tower — are the symbol of Bologna, built between 1109 and 1119 by the noble families of the same name, at a time when the city had as many as a hundred such towers.
Asinelli Tower is the taller of the two at 97.20 metres, while Garisenda, shorter, is famous for its pronounced lean, mentioned by Dante in the Divine Comedy.
Did you know…
- Garisenda Tower is mentioned by Dante in the Inferno for its lean.
- In 1791 Asinelli Tower was the site of a scientific experiment by Giovanni Battista Guglielmini on the Earth's rotation.
- Of the over 100 medieval towers that gave Bologna the nickname 'la Turrita', around twenty remain today.
Practical information
| Hours | ⚠ CURRENT STATUS: Asinelli Tower is closed for maintenance work in the surrounding area, and access to Piazza di Porta Ravegnana is fenced off due to monitoring work on Garisenda Tower (not open to visitors). Check the current status at duetorribologna.com before visiting — the Clock Tower is offered as an alternative viewpoint. |
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| Ticket | When open: full price €5, reduced €3 (children 4-11, over 65, university students). Booking with time slot required. |
| Accessibility | Not accessible for reduced mobility: 498 steps with no lift, when the tower is open. |
| Getting there | In the historic centre, a 5-minute walk from Piazza Maggiore, along Via Rizzoli. |
Tips for your visit
- Always check the opening status on the official website before planning your visit: the situation has changed several times since 2023.
- If the towers are closed, the Clock Tower in Piazza Maggiore still offers a panoramic view of the city.
Frequently asked questions
At the time of writing, Asinelli Tower is closed for area maintenance and Garisenda is not open to visitors. Always check the official website for updates before going.