Torre dei Prendiparte, Medieval tower in Bologna, Italy
Torre dei Prendiparte is a medieval brick tower rising approximately 61 meters above Bologna's streets and topped with a distinctive crown-like pattern. The structure contains multiple floors that display typical features of the city's medieval tower architecture.
The tower was built around 1350 and belonged to the powerful Prendiparte family who held significant influence in Bologna at that time. Later it passed to church ownership and served as a prison starting in the 1500s.
The middle floors display inscriptions left by former prisoners that reveal details about daily life during medieval times. These marks on the walls tell personal stories of those who were held here.
The tower now operates as a guesthouse where visitors can stay overnight and experience medieval architecture firsthand. It is helpful to check access conditions in advance, as the unique spatial layout of an old tower requires some consideration.
The tower has a slight tilt like many other towers in Bologna, showing how ground settling has affected medieval construction in the city. This lean is part of the architectural character that defines Bologna's skyline.
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