The Italian city of Bologna, known as medieval Manhattan, had roughly 180 towers in 1200; today we would call them skyscrapers.
The tallest of these is almost 320 feet (97 meters) tall and is still intact today!
Bologna was a tower-like city between the 12th and 13th centuries, similar to today’s Manhattan.
With a peak height of 97 meters, several of these towers were also quite tall. They were undoubtedly designed with defense in mind.
In addition to the towers, there are several fortified gates (torresotti) that correspond to the gates of the almost completely demolished city walls from the 12th century (also known as Cerchia dei Mille or Mura degli torresotti).
Even if they were built for defense, what explains the large number of extremely tall towers that Bologna had at that time in its history?
We don’t know, is the short answer. One theory holds that during the Investiture Controversy, which pitted church and state against each other over the right to elect and install bishops, abbots and the pope himself, the wealthiest families used them for both offensive and defensive purposes.
A large number of towers were removed or destroyed in the thirteenth century, while some have just fallen. Since then, many towers have been used for different purposes, such as prisons, city towers, shops, or residential buildings.
However, the towers continued to be a well-known landmark in Bologna during the following eras; Dante even mentioned several towers in his Inferno.
The last demolitions took place in the 20th century due to an ambitious but now pathetic plan to rebuild the city. The Artenisi Tower and the Riccadonna Tower on the Mercato di Mezzo were destroyed in 1917.
Less than twenty towers now remain in Bologna. These include the 61-meter-high Azzoguidi Tower, also known as the Altabella, the 60-meter-high Prendiparte Tower, also known as the Coronata, the 39-meter-high Scappi Tower, the 32-meter-high Uguzzoni Tower, the Guidozagni Tower, the Galluzzi Tower and the famous “Two Towers”, the Asinelli (97 m) and Garisenda Tower (48 m).
Building the towers was a large undertaking involving a large number of serfs or peasants. The standard tower of Bologna, which is 60 meters high, most likely took between three and ten years.
Each tower built during this fascinating but little-known era was square in cross-section with foundations that ranged from five to ten meters. These foundations were reinforced with stakes that were driven into the ground and covered with lime and pebbles. The base of the tower was built of large pieces of selenite stone, but the walls that followed were progressively lighter and thinner.
The use of “a Sacco” masonry, which consists of a thicker inner wall and a thinner outer wall with mortar and stones filling the space between, increased with the height of the building.
In most cases, the builders left larger cavities in the selenite and several holes in the outer wall to support the scaffolding and facilitate additional coverings and structures.
Bologna must have been quite handsome in the Middle Ages because these towers seem to have filled the city.
The skyline of Bologna during the Middle Ages is a breathtaking glimpse into a time when city life was dominated by towering structures. With approximately 180 towers that stood tall in the 13th century, the city resembled medieval Manhattan and showcased the architectural prowess and social dynamism of its time.
These towers, although designed for defense, also served as symbols of wealth and power for the wealthy families who built them, reflecting the complex interplay between church and state during the investiture dispute.
Today, only a fraction of these historic towers remain, yet they continue to be a symbol of Bologna’s rich cultural heritage. Surviving structures such as the iconic Asinelli and Garisenda towers are a testament to the ingenuity and labor that went into their construction. The engineering techniques used, including deep foundations and innovative masonry, highlight the remarkable skill of medieval builders who faced considerable challenges in creating such monumental structures.
As Bologna evolves, the remains of its high past invite reflection on the city’s historical significance and the architectural trends that shaped its landscape. Modernity may have changed the city, but the constant presence of its towers serves as a reminder of a time when verticality defined urban existence. The legacy of these structures continues to inspire fascination and appreciation, inviting residents and visitors alike to explore the stories etched into their walls and the living history they represent.