Known throughout the world, the Two Towers are the other symbol of Bologna along with Neptune, and they were certainly also the visual landmark that towered before the eyes of arriving travellers. They have existed for almost nine hundred years: already built in stone at the beginning of the 12th century at the entrance to the city from the Via Emilia and the Via Ravegnana, which connected directly with Ravenna.
The Asinelli tower is named after the family that built it. An impressive 97.2 metres high, it had few rivals in size at the time. Its current slope gives rise to a 2.23-metre overhang and the top can be reached via a flight of 498 steps: the effort of the climb is, however, rewarded by a view and a landscape that impressed even Goethe, who wrote his impressions in his famous Italian Journey in the notes dedicated to his stay in Bologna.
The Garisenda tower is also named after the noble family that had it erected. Shortly after its construction, the slope was so steep that it is believed that building was stopped and even some 12 metres were demolished in the 14th century, bringing the height to the current 48 metres. Dante Alighieri saw it when it was still intact and not lowered and compared it to the giant Antaeus leaning over him and Virgil in the XXXI canto of the Inferno.
The overhang is about 3.4 metres above the base.