Torre Ghirlandina

Modena's Ghirlandina rises beside the cathedral as the city's civic tower and a prominent part of the UNESCO-listed cathedral and Piazza Grande ensemble. Its Romanesque shaft is crowned by a Gothic spire, together reaching 89.32 metres.

Why it matters

The tower joined religious and civic life in medieval Modena. Its bells marked municipal events, while its rooms served as a treasury and archive for the commune. The cathedral, tower and Piazza Grande were inscribed together on the World Heritage List in 1997, recognised for the way religious and communal values are expressed in the medieval ensemble.

What to notice

Two rings of balustrades near the top gave the tower its name, from ghirlande, or garlands. Its stone facing includes material reused from Roman Mutina, confirmed during restoration work between 2007 and 2011. Sculpted protomes and fantastic figures echo the nearby cathedral's sculptural language. Within the tower, the Sala della Secchia Rapita recalls the wooden bucket associated with the 1325 Battle of Zappolino and Alessandro Tassoni's poem; a copy is displayed there. The Sala dei Torresani preserves carved capitals from the former custodians' quarters.

Context and history

The tower's early chronology remains debated. Studies suggest that construction began around 1160, with the shaft reaching the fifth floor between 1167 and 1184. A sixth storey was added in 1261, and the Gothic spire was completed in 1319 to a design by Enrico da Campione. Its construction formed part of the same medieval building history as Modena Cathedral, begun in 1099 under Lanfranco. The tower's rooms later housed civic records and valuables, linking its physical presence to the government of the commune.