Your current location:HOME >business >Fears mount that Italy's other leaning tower may fall 正文
TIME:2024-05-21 18:26:30 Source: Internet compilationEdit:business
A tourist photographs the medieval Garisenda Tower, also known as the "leaning tower", surrounded by
A tourist photographs the medieval Garisenda Tower, also known as the "leaning tower", surrounded by a containment structure as it is in danger of collapsing due to excessive tilting in Bologna, Italy, Dec 3, 2023. [Photo/Agencies]
While Italy's Leaning Tower of Pisa has grabbed everyone's attention ever since it was built in the 12th century, its less famous sibling, the similarly tilting Garisenda Tower in Bologna is attracting lots of interest this week — over fears it could fall down.
The tower, which was also built in the 12th century and that is leaning at a 4 degree angle, which is almost as severe at the 5 degree tilt of the tower in Pisa, has been closed to the public and is being surrounded by a 2.6-meter-thick barrier over concerns it could tumble.
The 47-meter-tall medieval tower that has loomed over the northern city for 900 years will soon be entirely surrounded by a 5-meter-tall barrier, to ensure people do not get too close, and to stop debris traveling too far in the event that it falls.
The tower's sudden closure followed monitors detecting it had leaned over a little more recently, which the municipal government said was a "highly critical" situation.
The municipality said the evacuation and cordon are the initial phase of a project to make the structure safe. The tower and the plaza below it are likely to stay closed for years while the building's foundations are strengthened. Work will also be carried out to repair disintegrating stonework and cracks in brickwork.
Mayor Matteo Lepore told the Associated Press that the Garisenda Tower has leaned ever since it was built "and has been a concern ever since".
The Garisenda Tower, which was built between 1109 and 1119, is mentioned in Dante's 1321 poem The Divine Comedy, and, while not as famous as Pisa's tower, is a major tourist attraction and cultural icon in Bologna, a city of 400,000 inhabitants.
The local government said the work to save it presents an "extraordinary challenge" that will need "commitment from the entire city and from those all over the world who love Bologna and one of its most important symbols", the BBC reported. The government has set up a crowdfunding page, so people can contribute to the cost of the work.
Theories as to why the tower moved recently include a flood earlier this year and vibrations from especially heavy traffic.
The Garisenda Tower is one of two towers that dominate Bologna's skyline. The other, Asinelli Tower, is twice as tall and also leans, although not as much and remains open to tourists.
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form2024-05-21 18:01
The Titans trade a seventh2024-05-21 17:53
He once swore off politics. Now, this Georgia activist is trying to recruit people who seldom vote2024-05-21 17:42
International migrants were attracted to large urban counties last year, Census Bureau data shows2024-05-21 17:42
College baseball notebook: Conference tournaments to decide NCAA automatic bids and many at2024-05-21 17:32
Forsberg gets 10th career hat trick, sets Nashville scoring record as Predators beat Blackhawks 52024-05-21 17:21
Anonymous accounts use right2024-05-21 16:42
US Steel shareholders approve takeover by Japan's Nippon Steel opposed by Biden administration2024-05-21 16:38
Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas2024-05-21 16:20
Agreement could resolve litigation over services for disabled people in North Carolina2024-05-21 15:45
Target to lower prices on basic goods in response to inflation2024-05-21 17:48
Congressman Don Beyer went back to college to learn AI2024-05-21 17:41
Kentucky GOP lawmakers remove Democratic governor's role in filling US Senate vacancies2024-05-21 17:33
Tom Watson wants the unity he saw at Masters Champions Dinner for all of golf, end to PGA2024-05-21 17:33
Pentagon vows to keep weapons moving to Ukraine as Kyiv faces a renewed assault by Russia2024-05-21 17:26
Trump assails Jewish voters who back Biden: 'Should have their head examined'2024-05-21 16:57
What to expect in Alabama's congressional primary runoffs2024-05-21 16:08
Ryan Feltner gets 1st win of season, Rockies use season2024-05-21 15:54
Yu Darvish extends scoreless innings streak to 25 in Padres' 92024-05-21 15:54
Rudy Gobert's big night lifts Timberwolves past Hawks and into a first2024-05-21 15:43