Steel Cages to Stabilize Bologna's Leaning Garisenda Tower by End of 2024

Bologna's iconic Garisenda tower will be stabilized with steel trusses similar to those used for the Leaning Tower of Pisa, according to mayor Matteo Lepore. The 12th-century tower, which together with the Asinelli tower forms the city's famous duo, had been showing increased oscillation and twisting in recent months, raising safety concerns. The intervention, designed by engineer Raffaella Bruni and her team, will proceed in three phases. By the end of 2024, steel cables, tie-rods, and lead counterweights will be installed to stabilize the structure, lifting the red alert issued by the Civil Protection six months ago. In 2025, masonry consolidation will begin using hydraulic lime mortar injections, similar to past restorations, allowing the adjacent Asinelli tower to reopen to the public. The final phase, spanning 2025-2026, will involve verifying stability and tensioning cables to counter future oscillations, possibly overlapping with initial restoration work. The €19 million cost is fully covered by a crowdfunding campaign from businesses and citizens, benefiting from Art Bonus tax incentives.