Bologna's Garisenda Tower Restoration: A 10-Year Plan to Secure and Preserve History
The restoration of Bologna's iconic Garisenda Tower, known for its remarkable lean, is progressing as part of a comprehensive ten-year plan aimed at stabilizing and preserving the structure for future generations. The project comes in response to increasing oscillations recorded in October last year, prompting immediate action by local authorities. As of now, the municipality has cordoned off the surrounding area to ensure public safety and manage the flow of nearby traffic.
The ambitious restoration efforts, which began with a significant announcement last March, will deploy techniques previously successful in stabilizing the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. The city has secured the use of specialized towers from the Opera della Primaziale Pisana, the governing body for the Cathedral of Pisa, which will be adapted for use around the Garisenda. This adaptation phase is set to take place in Cesena this autumn, where the towers will undergo modifications to fit the specific requirements of the Garisenda Tower structure.
Significantly, as part of these efforts, the new towers will undergo an extension process, increasing their height from 12 to 18 meters. This will be achieved by placing risers beneath the towers. Furthermore, the protective barriers erected around both the Garisenda and the neighboring Asinelli Tower have been completed. City plans include the construction of a gate that will facilitate access for workers and visitors who wish to observe the restoration process firsthand. Red containers surrounding the area are also slated for transformation into informative panels detailing the historical significance of the towers and updates on restoration progress.
Last June, a pivotal meeting between Bologna’s restoration officials and representatives from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage took place to discuss the ongoing project. By mid-November, the city is expected to finalize and present a technical-economic feasibility study as mandated for all interventions being financed by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). This plan utilizes significant funding from the European Next Generation EU initiative, of which Italy stands to benefit to the tune of 194 billion euros.
For the Garisenda restoration, a total of 5 million euros has been allocated from the PNRR. Additionally, the Bologna municipality has injected a further 47 million euros, complemented by 5 million from the Emilia-Romagna Region, and nearly 5 million raised through community donations from local citizens and businesses.
To ensure the timely completion of work and avoid forfeiting PNRR funding, the securing and consolidation of the Garisenda Tower must be concluded by June 30, 2026. Mayor Matteo Lepore has articulated a phased approach to the restoration process: currently in the 'yellow alert' phase, the first stage aims to finish the installation of steel structures around Garisenda by the end of 2024. Following this, attention will move to reopening the Asinelli Tower to the public in a 'green alert' phase while consolidation work on Garisenda is carried out. The final stage will entail the necessary stability assessments and the tensioning of cables to counteract future oscillation issues.
As this extensive restoration project continues, Raffaela Bruni, project manager for the municipality, has expressed confidence that all activities are aligning well with the proposed timelines, based on the work that has been completed thus far. The community of Bologna watches closely as their beloved Garisenda embarks on this important journey of stabilization and revitalization.
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