The beautiful legend of the two Towers of Bologna

Four hundred and ninety-eight steps to change perspective on the city. The two Towers are the symbol of the city of Bologna and are located in the ancient Via Emilia.

He is about to end up run over, his mother saves him

Four hundred and ninety-eight steps to change perspective on the city. The two Towers are the symbol of the city of Bologna and are located in the ancient Via Emilia.





Made in masonry, the two Towers had military defense and signaling functions, as well as representing the social prestige of the Asinelli family.

La Tower of the Asinelli it was built between 1109 and 1119 and with its 97,20 meters is the medieval leaning tower highest in the world, as well as one of the winds still visible in the ancient Turrita Bologna.

The internal staircase has 498 steps, while the base is surrounded by one 'rocchetta' built in 1488 to house the soldiers on guard. Today some have been relocated under the portico craft shops in memory of the commercial function performed by the medieval 'middle market'.

The beautiful legend of the two Towers of Bologna

Torre degli Asinelli also has a younger sister, the Garisenda of only 47 meters and the overhang of 3,22 meters due to greater subsidence of the ground and foundations.

But if everyone knows about these two city symbols, perhaps there are not many who have heard the legend linked to their history. Among the students, on the other hand, the saying that 'you do not climb the Asinelli Tower before graduating, otherwise it may not happen again' is more popular.

The beautiful legend of the two Towers of Bologna

Torre degli Asinelli, the legend

According to legend, once upon a time a farmer who owned two sturdy donkeys, who helped him daily in the tiring work in the fields. He was not a very rich man, which is why his days were totally dedicated to work.

The hope that one day he could expand his fields by buying more lands for the good of his family, but above all of his beloved and only son.



One day, while they were intent on digging in isolated terrain, the donkeys, as if mad, began to kick and then to dig more and more insistently. The good man, marveling at so much ardor, tried in vain to stop the two donkeys.

Shortly afterwards, something emerged from the earth that caught the farmer's attention: a trunk full of gold and silver coins, enriched with precious stones. Amazed by what he had just seen, the farmer decided to rename this treasure “The treasure of the donkeys”.

Being a judicious man, he didn't tell anyone his luck, not even his wife told what had happened thanks to his donkeys. his wife to buy what the family needed.

Over time, his standard of living improved, but always with discretion. Meanwhile, the farmer's son grew into a man of great culture and charm, his father had in fact wanted for him the best tutors and the best teachers.

The beautiful legend of the two Towers of Bologna

Sooner or later the young man fell in love with a girl belonging to one of the most important families in the city of Bologna and she, with great happiness, totally reciprocated the feeling. illusions about their future: too great was the social difference; the girl's family would never have agreed to give their daughter's hand to such a boy humble origins.

The one who could not accept this situation was precisely the young woman who did nothing but despair, shedding tears after tears. Her beloved of her, unable to bear to see her in that state, decided to definitely face the noble family.


He presented himself at the palace, was received and finally asked for the hand of the girl. The father, knowing the humble origins of the boy, burst into fhearty laugh and he said that yes, the wedding would take place, but as long as the young man was able to build a very tall tower.


The girl's father was more than convinced that he had got rid of the humble son of the farmer, yet that same evening, the young man confided in his dear father who immediately found the solution to the problem.

The beautiful legend of the two Towers of Bologna

- handed over the treasure which until then he had jealously guarded and as soon as possible work began to build the tower, now known by all as the "Torre degli Asinelli".

Other beautiful legends:

  • THE BEAUTIFUL TRADITION OF THE SAINT PETER'S BOAT, BETWEEN LEGEND AND REALITY (PHOTO)
  • THE MAYAN LEGEND OF COLIBRI
  • THE WONDERFUL LEGEND OF THE BLUE BUTTERFLY

The story of the two young people ended in the best way and their union was celebrated with great joy. In Bologna the tower was nicknamed the “Torre degli Asinelli”, a tribute to the loyalty of the two animals.

Dominella Trunfio

Photo: Bologna Welcome

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