Bologna's Garisenda Tower at Risk of Collapse, UNESCO Bid Launched

The Garisenda Tower in Bologna, a 12th-century landmark, is showing dangerous oscillations, prompting a red alert from a technical committee. The tower's base is severely compromised, with collapse probability exceeding normal standards by over 10,000 times. Mayor Matteo Lepore has closed the area to traffic and established a restoration committee, potentially using Pnrr funds (€5 million) or Art Bonus donations. Culture Minister Gennaro Sangiuliano has allocated €5 million for safety interventions. Simultaneously, Lepore has proposed nominating the Two Towers for UNESCO World Heritage status, a move Sangiuliano supports but stresses does not address immediate structural issues. The tower, originally 60 meters tall, was reduced to 48 meters in the 14th century and is mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy.