Overview
The “campanazzo” in the heart of Bologna
Less iconic than the Asinelli and Garisenda towers but no less beautiful, the Torre dell’Arengo towers above the Palazzo del Podestà and Piazza Maggiore and is one of the most recognisable symbols of the city of Bologna.
It dates back to the 13th century, when it was just a low spire, before it was raised to the 47 metres we can see today. Its foundations, however, are shallow and its walls are not very thick at the base, which is why the tower has had to undergo significant restoration work over the years.
For centuries, the Torre dell’Arengo has marked the most important events in Bologna with the tolling of its 15th-century “campanazzo” (big bell) weighing 4,700 kilos. In 1945, it rang when Bologna was liberated from German occupation. If you visit on 21st April, at 10 am on the dot, you will be able to hear the tolling of the “campanazzo” as an annual reminder of this historic moment.
