Italy’s Garisenda Tower Facing Collapse Threat
Italy’s Garisenda tower, part of the iconic duo towers in Bologna, is on the brink of collapse due to its extreme tilt. The tower, built in the 12th century, is currently leaning at a four-degree angle, surpassing even the famous Pisa tower’s slant.
Urgent Measures to Save the Tower
Authorities have raised concerns over the rapid rate at which the Garisenda tower is tilting and have devised a plan similar to the successful intervention used for the Tower of Pisa. Last year, the area around the tower was inspected for signs of ground cracking, confirming the structure’s high-risk status.
Bologna’s mayor, Matteo Lepore, recently announced the deployment of pylons and cables, adapted from the Pisa tower’s stabilization method, to prevent the Garisenda Tower from collapsing. This initiative aims to secure the tower and potentially reopen the adjacent Asinelli Tower to the public.
Extensive Restoration Efforts Underway
The comprehensive repair project is estimated to cost around 19 million euros and will involve adapting equipment from the Tower of Pisa for use on the Garisenda Tower. The process, expected to take about six months, includes erecting steel pylon structures, masonry consolidation, and injecting lime-based mortar mix into the tower.
Additionally, cables connecting the pylons to scaffolding will be tightened to reduce stress levels at the tower’s base, ensuring its stability. The Tower of Pisa, a UNESCO World Heritage site, underwent a similar restoration process in the 1990s, successfully preserving its iconic lean.
Thanks to these interventions, the Garisenda tower is poised to receive a new lease on life, mirroring the success of the Tower of Pisa’s rehabilitation efforts.
