官方网站

BOLOGNA: “LA TURRITTA” 康美恰恩堤 艺术酒店

Commercianti Hotel rediseño - ボローニャ -

BOLOGNA: “LA TURRITTA”

九月 01 2023
CURIOSITIES BOLOGNA
One of the many epithets coined for Bologna is "the Turritta": a term derived from the Latin "turritus", meaning surrounded and fortified with towers. As we know, the symbol par excellence of Bologna is the Two Towers, the Tower of Asinelli, its smaller sister the Tower of Garisenda (also mentioned several times by Dante), and the Prendiparte Tower, site of an hotel and a stunning rooftop. However, were you aware that one time there were more than 100 towers in Bologna? There has been much debate about the exact number of towers in the city, and to this day it has not been possible to determine it. During the 13th century, many towers collapsed or were intentionally "cut off", which is why only 24 of them survive today. The Art Hotel dei Commercianti is well acquainted with these towers, all of which are very close to the structure, but not only! Discover them with us...

The most famous one
This magnificent medieval tower, the tallest in Italy at 97.20 meters, is just a few minutes' walk from our hotel in the center of Bologna. It was built to protect the city, by order of the emperor, just outside the first city wall between the late 11th and early 12th centuries. Recent studies date its construction between 1060 and 1100, making it even more intriguing. But there's more. A legend surrounds this tower, which tells the story of a young sand and gravel transporter, who used mules as his means of work. During one of his journeys, he crossed paths with a girl of extraordinary beauty and fell hopelessly in love with her. Determined to be with her forever, the young man declared his love and asked for her hand in marriage from her father, a wealthy and noble man. But the father challenged him, mocking him: "You can only marry her if you bring as a dowry the tallest tower in the city." And so, the young man in love embarked on an endless search, until one day, while collecting gravel along the river, he found a chest filled with gold. With this unexpected treasure, in just nine years, he had the tower built, demonstrating his determination and his love for that special girl. Their union became a reality, as if it were taken from an enchanted tale. But this tower is not just a legend, it is an authentic testament to Bologna's glorious past. It is the only tower in the city that is regularly open to the public, offering a unique experience of climbing 498 not-so-easy steps and admiring a breathtaking view from above. From up there, one can be seduced by the sight of Bologna and the other towers that still stand out among the Bolognese palaces, silent witnesses of an extraordinary era.

The Leaning Tower
The Garisenda Tower, contemporaneous with its older sister, is one of the enchanting protagonists of the Bolognese skyline, distinguished by its slightly reduced height of 47 meters. However, despite its modest stature, this tower captivates the eyes of all those who observe it with its inclination angle of 4° (with a slight deviation of 3.22 meters), daringly challenging the famous leaning tower of Pisa, which leans slightly more with its current and rigid 3.97°. One might wonder: has it always been this tilted? The answer is an unequivocal yes: its inclination is a result of the ground and foundation settlement over the centuries, to the point that even Dante mentions it in the XXXI Canto of the Inferno. Around the middle of the 14th century, finally, out of fear of a future collapse, the tower was lowered, but despite this, it still remains the subject of careful restoration aimed at preserving its structure.

Symbol of power or defense?
Another much-discussed question concerns the reason for the presence of all these towers. The precise motive still remains unknown, although the most plausible theory seems to be linked to the power of the wealthiest families in the city who, through the construction of tall towers, displayed their comfort and economic prosperity. In addition, the towers constituted real fortresses with a significant role in defending the city, a function that they ceased to have in the 14th century when the war between the Guelphs and Ghibellines ended: from that moment on, towers were no longer built.

The "private" towers
In addition to the actual towers, the so-called house-towers also grew for residential purposes, which were less tall and could be connected to the surrounding wooden houses through scaffolding that allowed access to the homes of family members. The visible windows were actually doors to access the external wooden scaffolding, which provided better defense in case of attacks. In short, the towers in Bologna served three functions: defensive, residential, and aesthetic.

Our tower!
The Art Hotel Commercianti, easily accessible from Bologna train station thanks to public transportation , can offer you a unique experience: if you were wondering what it would be like to live in a tower, we have something that may interest you. One of our special rooms overlooking the Basilica of San Petronio, the fascinating "Tower Suite," is located in the oldest area of the building, the medieval tower that has reached us truncated in its final part, perhaps due to the ancient fire of 1141, of which numerous traces remain in the original beams of the third floor. Despite this, it is still possible to appreciate the ancient frescoes made in the fourteenth century and immerse oneself in an unparalleled Bolognese experience.
Volver
SAFE HOSPITALITY “PREVENTION IS PROTECTION”