I have just spent a few days in Bologna, one of my favourite cities in Italy. While I was there I climbed to the top of the tall tower in the centre of town. There are 2 towers, the tall one, and beside it, a leaning tower. They make for a very dramatic skyline.
The taller tower, Asinelli is 98 metres. Garisenda, the leaning one, is 48metres. It started leaning during construction, so it didn’t reach its intended height of 61 metres. The lean is just 4 degrees short of the tower in Pisa.
Bologna’s 2 towers
this is the one I climbed
I think you get the idea that it is tall
the entrance to the tower
heading for the steps
looking down from a few flights up
the wooden steps are very old and worn – and scary
and they seem to go on forever
finally at the top
There really are a lot of stairs to climb. Every time you see a ceiling above you think you are there, but no, it’s just another platform and there are more stairs above it. There are a few windows and tiny viewing holes along the way to keep you interested, and give an excuse to stop and have a breather. When you finally arrive at the top, the view makes it all worthwhile.
looking accross to Piazza Maggiore and beyond
looking down Via Rizzoli
Piazza Mercanzia
Basilica di San Bartolomeo and Gaetano
and then it is all the way back down 498 steps
Despite the fact that it is a long way up – and back – and the steps don’t look all that safe, it is a fun thing to do if you are in Bologna. It costs a mere 3 euro. I think it would be a bit hot in summer, it could get a bit stuffy in there, but in winter it is OK.
It is easy to see why Bologna is called “La Rossa”, The Red, because of the colour of the buildings. ( It also has communist leanings, but that is another story.)
Click here to see the fabulous fish market in Bologna.