Garisenda tower, Medieval tower in Bologna, Italy
The Torre della Garisenda rises next to the taller Asinelli tower and forms with it the famous duo of the Two Towers. Its masonry consists of bricks and selenite, with a visible tilt noticeable from a distance that gives the impression the structure might topple at any moment.
The Garisendi family began construction around the year 1150, but the tower was shortened in its early years because the ground gave way. Later interventions in the 14th century prevented further collapse and secured the base.
The name comes from the Garisendi family, who commissioned the structure in the 12th century to display their influence in the city. Today the tower serves as an important landmark for visitors walking through the narrow streets of the old town and looking for a meeting point.
The tower stands right at a crossroads of major streets in the historic center and is easy to reach on foot. Due to ongoing safety works access to the interior is currently not possible, but the exterior view already offers a lasting impression.
Dante mentions the tower in his Divine Comedy and compares its tilt to the giant Antaeus bending over him. This literary connection makes it one of the few structures recorded in one of the most famous works of world literature.
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