The 12th-century Garisenda Tower, one of the two towers that dominate Bologna’s skyline, is tilting at a 4-degree angle and the city authorities have closed it off after monitoring detected shifts in the direction of the tilt.
Bologna’s second, taller, tower seems to be more stable
Bologna’s second iconic tower, the Asinelli, which is almost twice as tall and also leans, does not seem to have the problems of its shorter neighbour. The Garisenda Tower site came under special scrutiny in October when sensors first picked up changes in the tilt of the 47-metre tower, and deterioration at the base of the construction. 
“An extraordinary challenge which will require commitment from the entire city”
The works now in progress consist of protecting the surrounding buildings – and of course people - in the event of a collapse, by installing rock-fall netting around the tower. The site, and the piazza around it, are expected to remain closed for the foreseeable future. It is estimated that the barrier and netting will cost around €4.3 million, and experts are calling the project an “extraordinary challenge” which will require “commitment from the entire city, and from those all over the world who love Bologna and one it its most important symbols.”
