The Two Towers

The last two of dozens of medieval tower-houses that once turned Bologna's skyline into a forest of stone.

Price
Hours: Exterior viewable at all times
Avg. visit: 15–20 minutes to view from the ground
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Medieval Bologna's competing noble families built dozens of tower-houses across the city, part status symbol and part genuine defensive stronghold, at a time when family rivalries could turn violent. Roughly twenty of these towers survive today, most much reduced or absorbed into later buildings, but the pair at the city's historic crossroads remain the icons of the skyline.

The taller of the two, the Asinelli, rises to roughly 97 metres and still leans slightly off vertical, a common feature of towers built quickly on Bologna's soft alluvial ground. Its neighbour, the Garisenda, leans far more dramatically and was deliberately shortened in the 14th century after its tilt became a structural concern — the truncated tower is famous enough to have been mentioned by Dante in the Inferno.

Inside

What to see

The dramatic lean of the Garisenda, visible clearly from ground level without needing to climb anything
The Asinelli's crenellated summit, historically accessible via an internal staircase of several hundred steps
The view across Bologna's terracotta rooftops from the top, when climbing access is open
The surrounding Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, where several of Bologna's medieval streets converge

Practical

Good to know

Structural monitoring and stabilisation work has restricted access to the Asinelli and the area around the Garisenda in recent years.
The towers are freely viewable from the surrounding square at any time, regardless of climbing access.
The climb, when open, has historically involved several hundred narrow wooden steps and is not suitable for those with mobility concerns.

Timing

When it's busiest

Morning: Quiet
Midday: Busy
Afternoon: Busy
Evening: Moderate

Nearby

Combine your visit

5-minute walk

Piazza Maggiore & Basilica di San Petronio

Head back down Via Rizzoli to the city's main square.

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Right next door

The Quadrilatero

Step into the old guild streets, now filled with food shops, just off the towers.

Visit →

10-minute walk

Santo Stefano

Continue south to the complex of interlinked medieval churches.

Visit →

FAQ

Common questions

Can I climb the Asinelli right now?

Access has been restricted at times for structural monitoring and stabilisation work — check current status before travelling.

Why does the Garisenda lean so much?

It began tilting due to unstable foundations and was deliberately shortened in the 14th century to reduce the structural risk, leaving its current dramatic angle.

Is it free to view the towers?

Yes — viewing them from the surrounding square costs nothing; only climbing the Asinelli, when open, requires a ticket.

Are there other towers in Bologna?

Yes, around twenty survive across the city in various states, though none match the height or fame of this pair.