Bologna's Leaning Garisenda Tower Gets a 400-Year Lifeline Through Bold Restoration

One of Italy's oldest towers, the Garisenda Tower in Bologna, nearly 1,000 years old, is now leaning at four degrees—slightly more than Pisa's famous tower. Authorities have launched a major project management initiative to keep it standing for centuries to come. Bologna was once filled with nearly 100 medieval towers, but only a few survive today. The Garisenda Tower, one of the most iconic, has been tilting dangerously for years. Without intervention, engineers warned it could fall.

The Italian government stepped in through the Ministry of Culture and the Superintendence for Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape. Work began in 2023, using advanced techniques like carbon fibre reinforcements. The approach follows a model already proven in Pisa.

Leading the project management is engineer Rafaella Bruni. The goal is not to straighten the tower but to stabilise it in its current position. Officials estimate the repairs will extend its life by 200 to 400 years.

Millions of euros have been allocated to the effort. The investment reflects Italy's broader push to protect its centuries-old landmarks from decay and natural risks.

The stabilisation work will secure the Garisenda Tower for future generations. Once complete, the structure will remain a visible part of Bologna's skyline. The project also sets a precedent for preserving other at-risk heritage sites across the country.