Italy's historic 'Leaning Tower' on high alert for possible collapse

• Garisenda tower in Bologna, Italy, is on "high alert" for potential collapse, following a report citing an "unexpected and accelerated trend" of compression, disintegration, and cracks.
• City council plans to install a protective metal cordon with rockfall protection nets to mitigate the risk, allocate 4.4 million euros for the project, and initiate an online fundraiser 
• While not imminent, the potential collapse has prompted a civil protection plan, and the city is considering options such as creating a metal "cage" or dismantling and rebuilding the tower

Bologna, Italy – The iconic Garisenda tower, a medieval structure that has leaned at a four-degree angle for centuries, is now under close scrutiny as the city takes precautionary measures against the possibility of a sudden collapse.

The city's decision comes after a 27-page report from the scientific committee, responsible for monitoring the site since 2019, raised alarms about an "unexpected and accelerated trend" of compression at the tower's base, gradual disintegration of its stone cladding, and expanding cracks in the bricks above.

The Bologna city council has declared a "high alert" for the Garisenda tower, initiating a civil protection plan to safeguard against a potential collapse. A metal cordon, complete with specially designed rockfall protection nets, will be erected to contain debris, protect surrounding buildings, and restrict access to the endangered area.

Although consolidation works have been halted, the tower is not on the verge of immediate collapse, according to a city spokesperson. The city is treating the situation with a "yellow" alert, acknowledging the uncertainty of when a collapse might occur – whether in three months, 10 years, or 20 years.

In response to the critical condition of the tower, the city plans to establish an exclusion zone promptly and has allocated 4.4 million euros for the construction of the protective cordon. An online fundraiser has been initiated to generate additional funds for the costly stabilizing work, which may include creating a metal "cage" for the structure.

The unique challenge lies in finding a solution to stabilize the tower, with potential options ranging from dismantling and rebuilding the base to trimming the tower itself. The city emphasizes the symbolic value of preserving the twin towers, not just as heritage sites but as integral symbols of Bologna's rich history.