The Two Towers (Due Torri) in Bologna, Italy, are the ultimate symbols of the city, but ongoing restoration means your visit in 2026 requires an updated strategy. Located at Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, the leaning Garisenda Tower is currently cordoned off for stabilization, which has also suspended climbs up the neighboring 97-meter Asinelli Tower. Allocate 15 to 20 minutes for a viewing stop from safe perimeter vantage points, making this a quick photo detour best suited for architecture buffs and first-time city explorers.
Current access and safety restrictions at the Two Towers
Detailing the Garisenda stabilization project is essential for any modern traveller. In late 2023, structural sensors detected critical movement in the shorter Garisenda tower, prompting the city to secure a massive exclusion zone around Piazza di Porta Ravegnana. In 2026, this high-security metal perimeter remains firmly in place to prevent any public risk, meaning you cannot walk directly beneath either tower or stand in the center of the piazza.
This safety measure directly impacts the Asinelli Tower. Because of its proximity to the unstable Garisenda, climbing the 498 wooden steps of the Asinelli is strictly banned for the foreseeable future. Do not trust outdated guidebooks or static websites that promise a steep climb to the top. While the surrounding shops and cafes on the outer edges of the square remain open, pedestrian access is rerouted along marked paths.
Avoid online third-party vendors offering climb tickets for the Due Torri, as these are scams or outdated listings. The municipal tourism board has officially paused all ticket sales for the Asinelli Tower. Visitors should keep their distance, respect the yellow warning signs, and enjoy the views from the designated safe zones.
Alternative viewpoints for the Bologna towers
Since the Asinelli Tower is closed, direct your attention to the Torre dell'Orologio (Clock Tower) on Piazza Maggiore. This tower is fully open and offers an organized timed-entry climb. While it is much shorter than the Asinelli at just over 30 meters, it provides a magnificent view of the central square and the Basilica of San Petronio, and the entry ticket includes access to the Municipal Art Collections inside Palazzo d'Accursio.
For an even taller, historic experience, book a visit to the privately owned Torre Prendiparte. Rising nearly 60 meters, it is the second-tallest tower in Bologna and occasionally opens its roof terrace for tour groups. Booking this well in advance via their official channels is the closest you will get to the classic medieval tower-climb experience in the city center.
Travellers who prefer a panoramic view of the red-tiled city skyline without climbing narrow medieval wooden stairs should take the San Luca Express tourist road-train up to the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca. The hilltop sanctuary features a dome climb that looks back down onto Bologna, offering a sweeping view of the entire valley, including the distant, tilted silhouettes of the Due Torri.
Ticket refunds and booking policies for Asinelli Tower
Securing a refund for pre-booked tickets requires going directly through your booking agent. The official tourism office, Bologna Welcome, located in Piazza Maggiore, handles refunds for tickets purchased directly through their platform, but they cannot refund vouchers bought through global online travel agencies.
Should you be offered a voucher swap by the local tourism board, accept it. The swap usually grants access to the Clock Tower or provides credit for guided walking tours of the Quadrilatero district, which offer exceptional value by covering the hidden canals and historic food markets that make Bologna famous.
Photographing the Due Torri from street level
Capturing the dramatic tilt of the Garisenda and the towering height of the Asinelli requires finding angles that bypass the yellow cranes and metal fences. The best street-level vantage point is from the middle of Via Rizzoli, looking east. Standing near the intersection with Via Oberdan allows a telephoto zoom lens to compress the perspective, making the towers look incredibly massive while keeping the ground-level construction barriers out of the frame.
Another excellent angle is from the portico of the Basilica of dei Santi Bartolomeo e Gaetano, located just across from the towers. The elegant stone arches provide a perfect frame for the Asinelli Tower rising into the sky. For a dramatic evening shot, visit during the blue hour when the spotlights illuminate the brickwork of the towers, casting long shadows that emphasize their precarious angles.
The history that explains why Bologna leans
Bologna’s skyline was once filled with over 100 towers built between the 12th and 13th centuries by rival noble families as symbols of wealth, power, and military defense. The Asinelli and the Garisenda are the most famous survivors of this medieval skyscraper boom. The Garisenda was originally much taller, but its severe tilt—caused by weak foundation soil shifting shortly after construction—forced builders to cut it down in the 14th century to prevent a catastrophic collapse.
Even the taller Asinelli Tower leans, albeit more gently, by about 2.2 meters off-center. The Garisenda, however, leans at an alarming 4-degree angle, which is actually more pronounced than the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa. Understanding this geological battle against the soft, alluvial soil of the Po Valley helps explain why the current multi-million euro stabilization effort is so critical to preserving Bologna’s medieval heart.
