Towers of Bologna and the panoramic views – Travel Photo Mondays
Towers of Bologna and the panoramic views
The two towers of Bologna are the most well-known towers of the remaining twenty towers or so left in the city. The two towers represent the landmark image of Bologna of which over 180 towers were built during the 12th to 13th century to mark the wealth and prestige of significant families along with fortifying the city’s military defenses. Many of the towers came into disrepair or were re-utilized for other purposes and their materials repurposed. The main tower is the Asinelli Tower and it is over 97 meters in height. The lower tower is the Garisenda Tower at over 48 meters. Similar to Pisa’s leaning tower both lean precariously and the shorter tower, is off-limits due to its extreme climbing angle.
The two towers of Bologna
Why Climb these historic towers of Bologna?
Without too many vantage points to see the views of Bologna from above, you can actually climb some of the ancient towers to see the magnificent landscape below. The experience alone of visiting some of these historic towers still being utilized for observing the views of the city below make this a fun and one of a kind experience while visiting medieval Bologna. With over 100 towers built around Bologna during the Middle Ages for defense, only 22 towers survive today. The most prominent towers today are called the Two towers, the Asinelli Tower (97 m) and the Garisenda Tower (48 m) in height. The Asinelli tower is still open for the public to climb and check out the views from the top of the tower.
Climbing the Asinelli tower to the top observation area
Climbing up the claustrophobic interiors of the Asinelli tower really gives you the feeling of how old and almost precarious the towers are let alone the rickety staircases, dark interiors and musty masonry walls are with little windows that breath in small wisps of fresh air from the outside. The interior is dark with old wooden staircases that go up in a square pattern and some small windows for checking out the views and taking a break along the way until you reach the top observation area. The views from above are quite spectacular seeing all the monuments and other landmarks of Bologna below. It’s fascinating to know that many of these towers dotted the landscape in historic Bologna and a few are still around the historic district marketing the wealthy families that owned and operated these towers.
Asinelli and Garisenda towers at Bologna
Here’s an interior view of the tower and those scary stairs
The interior stairs of the Asinelli tower in Bologna
Once you are closer to the upper levels, small peek-a-boo views to the city’s historic center below affords a quick view to the terracotta and red-tiled roofs of the mostly ochre city far below and some of the iconic symbols of the city: the Piazza Maggiore and the basilica San Petronio, the Piazza del Nettunno and the fountain of Neptune below.
A view of Piazza Maggiore from the Asinelli tower
Here’s a broader view of the main piazza from the Asinelli tower
A first impression of Bologna in Emilia Romagna
Finally, when you get to the top and make it outside to see the view – it really is spectacular and worth the effort climbing all those incredible stairs – all 498 steps to the top. The panoramic views are so splendid – you can see 360 degrees all around the city and beyond the historic district area and into the surrounding countryside of Emilia Romagna. It’s a sea of terracotta and ochre with red-tiled roofs throughout.
Towers of Bologna and the city panorama
Looking straight below the Asinelli tower is interesting when you check out the surrounding buildings and streets below. The shot below shows a very cool angle with the lower Garisenda tower below and St Bartolomeo church.
Picture of the Garisenda tower from above the Asinelli tower
You can get such amazing views from the Asinelli tower to the entire city and the countryside throughout the entire region. It is definitely worth the climb (498 steps) to the top for these magnificent views and the wonderful photo opportunities from above.
A solitary tower, Torre Prendiparte, against a sea of ochre
If you enjoyed the post, please check out these other posts of Bologna
Thanks for visiting us today to see the Towers of Bologna and the panoramic views for Travel Photo Mondays, hope you enjoyed the visit – if so, please do share it with the social media buttons located around the post.
If you like what you see, come and check out my other social media channels for more updates, including Instagram, Pinterestand Twitter
After visiting most of the major cities in Italy, Bologna is one of the last ones left. I really want to go! Your pictures actually make me want to go…right…now! Great post 🙂
Thanks for taking me up into the Asinelli tower in Bologna with you via your camera. Now I can skip it when I visit. The interior reminds me of scenes in the film “Vertigo.”
I’ll admit that I’m not that fond of heights but the views from the tower look amazing, you can see so so much! Amazing photos and a lovely bit of history too, thanks!
Glad you took me up for the spectacular view! And I’m glad that you stopped in Bologna at all; I believe it’s still a very undervalued destination in Northern Italy (bypassed by most between Venice, Verona, and Florence).
Wow, isn’t it amazing that these towers remain standing after so long. The city skyline in the 12th and 13th centuries must have been wondrous to visitors and citizens alike. Beautiful views make risking my vertigo worthwhile should we visit. Thanks!
I’d be game to climb the stairs of the Asinelli Tower for the panoramic views of the city which are absolutely gorgeous – You’re right though, those stairs do look a little rickety! The City must have indeed been imposing with the magnificent fortifications in the 12th and 13th centuries that showed the wealth and power of the city. Crossing my fingers but it looks like we may be there in 2015…
Beautiful city, and it’s still apparent from the buildings that some well to do people lived there in the past. a pity that so many of the towers are done:( I command you for walking those rickety stairs – at least it was not a round tower (walking the spiral stair cases made me kind of dizzy)).
Hi Noel, I love the Picture of the Garisenda tower from above the Asinelli tower. It looks like it is taken looking directly down and the buildings look like an amazing puzzle. 498 is a lot of steps!
Gorgeous, but not the best places for someone with vertigo. In fact, the staircase in the Bologna tower looks a lot like the one in the movie “Vertigo.”
Noel, those near 500 steps maybe tiring but they are worth it for such spectacular views.
The city looks awash with red brick buildings. It is quite refreshing to see an image of a city maybe unchanged for centuries. Today many city skylines change rapidly with new, fancy skyscrapers and reflections of modern architecture. It looks like Bologna is true to hold onto its traditional past.
I agree, when you see a landscape like this that is mostly unchanged it is because the local government was smart enough to mandate strict laws to keep things in check so we still get to experience something amazing like this!
Hi, I'm Noel, a writer and photographer based in San Francisco and Hawaii. I write about delicious food and wine indulgences, thoughtful luxury, and adventure travel. I share camera tips and techniques while exploring new and unusual places around the world. My site explores culture and history, art and architecture, world heritage sites, exotic locals, along with nature tours and natural landscapes worldwide. Quite a mixed bag of curiosities and quirky interests, just like myself.
I just got to this post – woww! Those stairs do look frightening, but the views are clearly worth it. Your photos are just gorgeous.
After visiting most of the major cities in Italy, Bologna is one of the last ones left. I really want to go! Your pictures actually make me want to go…right…now! Great post 🙂
The view was certainly worth it – love the perspectives you’ve taken.
Love the views down on all of the roofs. Makes us miss Italy.
Thanks for taking me up into the Asinelli tower in Bologna with you via your camera. Now I can skip it when I visit. The interior reminds me of scenes in the film “Vertigo.”
Beautiful, we were there when the earthquake happened in 2012 and the towers were closed so we didn’t have a chance to see this magnificent few.
What great views. Some of the angles are dizzying. What a beautiful city Bologna is!
I’ll admit that I’m not that fond of heights but the views from the tower look amazing, you can see so so much! Amazing photos and a lovely bit of history too, thanks!
What views! Gave me goosebumps! My favorite was the staircase – magnificent!
Glad you took me up for the spectacular view! And I’m glad that you stopped in Bologna at all; I believe it’s still a very undervalued destination in Northern Italy (bypassed by most between Venice, Verona, and Florence).
Wow, isn’t it amazing that these towers remain standing after so long. The city skyline in the 12th and 13th centuries must have been wondrous to visitors and citizens alike. Beautiful views make risking my vertigo worthwhile should we visit. Thanks!
What a fabulous view…certainly worth the climb. With that sea of red tiles, you could only be in Italy! Great photos Noel.
I love the perspective of the photo of the Garisenda tower from above the Asinelli tower
I’d be game to climb the stairs of the Asinelli Tower for the panoramic views of the city which are absolutely gorgeous – You’re right though, those stairs do look a little rickety! The City must have indeed been imposing with the magnificent fortifications in the 12th and 13th centuries that showed the wealth and power of the city. Crossing my fingers but it looks like we may be there in 2015…
Beautiful shots … amazing, historic and charming
Beautiful city, and it’s still apparent from the buildings that some well to do people lived there in the past. a pity that so many of the towers are done:( I command you for walking those rickety stairs – at least it was not a round tower (walking the spiral stair cases made me kind of dizzy)).
Noel, I just love the red ceramic roofs, don’t you?!
Hi Noel, I love the Picture of the Garisenda tower from above the Asinelli tower. It looks like it is taken looking directly down and the buildings look like an amazing puzzle. 498 is a lot of steps!
Gorgeous, but not the best places for someone with vertigo. In fact, the staircase in the Bologna tower looks a lot like the one in the movie “Vertigo.”
These photos are fantastic. It looks huge….just beautiful.
Noel, those near 500 steps maybe tiring but they are worth it for such spectacular views.
The city looks awash with red brick buildings. It is quite refreshing to see an image of a city maybe unchanged for centuries. Today many city skylines change rapidly with new, fancy skyscrapers and reflections of modern architecture. It looks like Bologna is true to hold onto its traditional past.
I agree, when you see a landscape like this that is mostly unchanged it is because the local government was smart enough to mandate strict laws to keep things in check so we still get to experience something amazing like this!