The story of this place
Medieval Bologna bristled with as many as 180 tower-houses, built by feuding noble families as fortresses and symbols of power in the 12th and 13th centuries. Two of the finest survive side by side. The Asinelli Tower, begun around 1109, soars 97 metres, making it the tallest leaning medieval tower in the world; its 498 wooden steps reward climbers with sweeping views. Beside it, the Garisenda Tower was built too tall on weak foundations and began tilting alarmingly, forcing builders to lop it down to 48 metres—Dante mentioned its dizzying lean in the 'Inferno.' The towers became emblems of the city, home to Europe's oldest university, founded in 1088. Recent instability has again closed the Garisenda for safety works.