A LARGE section of the Italian city of Bologna with many medieval buildings has been closed off after a tower built in the 12th century was found to be dangerously inclining, raising fears it could collapse.
Like the more famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, the 47m tall Garisenda has been tilting since it was constructed, sometime between 1109 CE and 1119 CE. It is the shorter of two towers built side by side, and both are inclining. The taller one is called the Asinelli. They are located at the intersection of the roads that lead to the five gates of the city’s old ring wall.
The local authorities recently began building a 5m high barrier around the Garisenda to contain any debris that could fall from the building. The tower, which is leaning at an angle of four degrees, was found to be increasingly unstable, and the municipality has warned that the situation has become “very critical”.
The Garisenda Tower’s height was reduced in the 14th century because it was starting to lean. It was mentioned in the popular poem of Italian philosopher Dante Alighieri in his epic "The Divine Comedy".
The site was closed in October this year after sensors detected changes in the tower's tilt. Inspections revealed deterioration of the materials that make up its basic structure. The Bologna City Council launched a public protection plan to preserve the tower, and the surrounding plaza may have to be closed for several years while restoration works are carried out. The construction of the barrier cost around €4.3 (RM21.9) million. The city council is expected to launch a fundraiser to finance the project. – The Vibes, December 3, 2023
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