The Two Towers are among the unique sights in Bologna, reminding visitors of the city’s bellicose history and offering the best scenic overlook in the center. The landmark Garisenda and Asinelli towers were constructed to provide defensive protection and to represent the wealth and power of the noble families who commissioned them. You can climb 498 steps to the top of the Asinelli tower, built by the Asinelli family in 1119 and soaring 318 feet (97 meters) above the city’s rooftops; the shorter Garisenda tower leans too steeply to be climbed.
Join a walking tour, or a tour by bike or Segway, to see the Two Towers and other top Bologna attractions like the Basilica of San Petronio, Piazza Maggiore, and the churches of Santo Stefano and San Domenico. Bologna is famous for its wonderful cuisine, so you can also opt for a food tour to combine sightseeing with samples of the city’s traditional food and wine.