Worsening condition of Bologna’s “leaning tower” to require €20 million restoration work

Things for Bologna’s leaning Garisenda Tower appear to have taken a turn for the worse, according to a 27-page report released by the scientific committee that has been monitoring it since 2019.

Furthermore, the tower was constructed in the 12^th century, and the city’s mayor, Matteo Lepore, stated that it has been leaning and causing concern ever since.

However, things have steadily been worsening for the Garisenda since July, according to a spokesperson for the council.

The area around the tower was taped off in October, so that more precise monitoring of the tower’s condition could take place.

As for the source of the tower’s tilt, it has been identified to be caused by a combination of vertical cracks along the tower’s bricks along with gradual disintegration of the rock used as foundation.

It is worth noting that several attempts have been made to rehabilitate the tower’s structural integrity and stop any further settlement, which included grouting, steel band fitting and more recently, consolidation works.

Moreover, the report suggests that these previous measures taken to restore the tower’s integrity did the opposite of what was intended.

As the tower is now on yellow level of alert, the current plan of action involves the installation of a protective zone, consisting of barriers and rock nets around the tower. This barrier aims to minimize damage to the surroundings in case of falling debris and is expected to be completed by February.

A yellow alert means high risk of collapse, but does not pose an immediate threat, as two higher threat levels also exist.

Finally, the council stated that the operation to save the tower will be undertaken in two phases, while mayor Matteo Lepore compared the situation to the Leaning Tower of Pisa and said that the process could last more than ten years and cost more than €20 million.