If you think the Leaning Tower of Pisa is Italy’s only gravity-defying medieval stunt, Bologna’s Two Towers will make you look twice. Torre degli Asinelli and Torre Garisenda have been tilting for centuries—one of them at an angle steeper than Pisa’s—and they’re the pair every traveler photographs, even when they can’t climb them.
Bologna’s medieval skyline: built to impress, leaning to survive
Back in the 12th century, Bologna had over a hundred towers. Wealthy families built them as status symbols and defensive strongholds, turning the city into a sort of medieval Manhattan. Only about twenty survive today, and the two that stand side by side in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana are the ones that make every visitor stop.
Torre degli Asinelli rises roughly 97 meters—that makes it the tallest leaning medieval tower in Italy, taller than the more famous one in Pisa. It leans westward by about 1.3°, a tilt you feel more than see. Torre Garisenda, its shorter neighbor, leans at roughly 4°, which is actually steeper than Pisa’s 3.97°. Dante Alighieri even mentioned Garisenda in the Divine Comedy, comparing its lean to the giant Antaeus. A plaque at the base recalls those verses.
Asinelli was built between 1109 and 1119 by the Asinelli family. Garisenda went up around the same time, originally planned at about 60 meters. It started tilting soon after construction due to weak ground, and by the 14th century the top had to be shortened to keep it from collapsing. That’s why it’s now only 48 meters tall—and it has never been open to the public.
What you need to know about visiting in 2026
Here’s the situation: as of June 2026, both towers are closed to visitors. Torre degli Asinelli has been shut since October 2023 after sensors detected increasing deterioration in Garisenda’s base. The city launched a major stabilization project for Garisenda using the same pylon-and-cable system that saved Pisa—at a cost of roughly €19 million. The entire square is a construction site, with protective barriers and stacked containers around Garisenda’s base.
The mayor has said Asinelli could reopen once Garisenda is secured, but there’s no confirmed date. Third-party estimates suggest work could run into 2028. So if you’re planning a trip specifically to climb the towers, you’ll want to check directly with Bologna Welcome before booking anything.
The entire Piazza di Porta Ravegnana is a building site. You can still walk through and photograph the towers from the street, but the scaffolding and barriers make for a less picturesque scene than the photos you’ve seen online. If you’re hoping for that classic postcard shot, manage your expectations.
Where to get a view when the towers are closed
Bologna Welcome’s official alternative is Torre dell’Orologio—the clock tower on Palazzo d’Accursio in Piazza Maggiore. It has two viewing platforms and offers a 360° panorama over the city. Booking is compulsory with timed entries every 20 minutes. Tickets run around €10 for adults, with a reduced rate for kids and seniors. It’s a fraction of the steps compared to Asinelli’s nearly 500, and you still get that rooftop perspective.
There’s also the Strazzaroli Sky Experience, launched in January 2025 on the rooftop of Palazzo degli Strazzaroli, directly across from the towers. From about 25 meters up, you can look straight back at Asinelli and Garisenda. It currently operates Sundays only with slots between 10:00 and 16:30. Check availability on the official site.
Of course, you can always just stand in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana and look up. The lean is disorienting in person—especially Garisenda’s—and it’s free. For the best photograph, position yourself on Via Rizzoli looking toward the square; that angle captures both towers and their tilt in one frame.
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If you’d rather join a guided walk that covers the towers and the historic center, browse Bologna tours on GetYourGuide for options that fit your schedule.
Getting there and making the most of it
The Two Towers sit at the intersection of Via Rizzoli and Via Zamboni, in the heart of Bologna’s old town. From Bologna Centrale station, it’s an easy 16- to 18-minute walk—about 1.3 kilometers. Take Via dell’Indipendenza (pedestrianized and arcaded) to Piazza Maggiore, then head east along Via Rizzoli. Most of the route is under Bologna’s portici, which became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2021, so you stay dry even in the rain.
Once you’re there, the towers are just a few minutes from Piazza Maggiore and a short walk from the Quadrilatero market district, where you can find tagliatelle al ragù and crescentine fritters in nearby trattorias. Half a day is enough to cover the central sights, and you can easily combine the towers with a food-focused walk. For more on Bologna’s food scene, read my post on discovering Bologna, Italy’s culinary capital.
Visit the square at different times of day. Morning light makes Garisenda’s lean look even more dramatic, and the warm golden glow of sunset brings out the reddish brickwork. Fewer people early or late, too.
Common questions about Bologna’s Two Towers
Can I climb Torre degli Asinelli in 2026?
No. It’s been closed since October 2023 and remains shut due to the stabilization work on Garisenda. No reopening date has been announced. Check the official Bologna Welcome site for updates.
Why is the Garisenda Tower fenced off?
It’s undergoing a major stabilization project that started in 2023. The lean—about 4°—had increased enough to trigger safety concerns. The city is using the same engineering method that saved the Leaning Tower of Pisa. The work is expected to take several years.
How much does it cost to climb Asinelli when it’s open?
Pre-closure prices were around €5 for adults and €3 for children and seniors, with free entry for Bologna Welcome Card holders. Booking was mandatory in timed slots. Expect similar pricing when it reopens, but always check the official site.
How many steps are there?
Roughly 498 narrow wooden steps to the top of Asinelli. No lift. The climb takes about 45 minutes to an hour round trip, and the staircase operates as one-way alternating traffic. Not recommended if you have vertigo, heart conditions, or limited mobility.
What should I do instead if I can’t climb the towers?
Head to Torre dell’Orologio in Piazza Maggiore for the best substitute view. Or try the Strazzaroli Sky Experience on Sundays. And don’t skip the ground-level view—standing beneath Garisenda and looking straight up is still one of Bologna’s most memorable moments, even with the construction barriers.
Making the most of the Two Towers despite the closure
Honestly, the first time I saw Garisenda in person, I was surprised by how much it leans. Photos don’t capture that almost cartoonish tilt. Even with the construction site, the towers remain the city’s most recognizable icons. Pair a stop in Piazza di Porta Ravegnana with a climb up Torre dell’Orologio, and you’ll get the full picture—minus the 498 stairs. Just keep an eye on the official Bologna Welcome site for reopening news, and don’t plan your whole trip around climbing Asinelli until a date is confirmed.
Sources and further reading
Bologna Welcome. “Two Towers.” bolognawelcome.com. 🔗
Google Maps. “Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, Bologna.” 🔗
Related reading on Emily in Italy
Escape the crowds in Bologna, Italy’s food capital — practical tips for enjoying Bologna without the tourist rush, including how to visit the towers area smartly.
Bologna’s porticoes lead to the Madonna of San Luca — a walk along the longest portico in the world, another reason to love Bologna’s covered walkways.