Ian Dagnall/Alamy Stock Photo

The Garisenda Tower, which leans more than the Leaning Tower of Pisa, is now at risk of collapse.

You’ve probably heard about Italy’s Leaning Tower of Pisa, which is slanted at an almost 4-degree angle. You may be surprised to learn, however, that the Garisenda Tower in Bologna, Italy, actually leans slightly more, even though it doesn’t get as much attention. It has historically tilted 4 degrees, but recent surveys show signs of unexpected movement, and city officials are worried it might collapse. They’ve closed off the surrounding square. The Garisenda Tower—along with its counterpart, the Asinelli Tower—is a vestige of the Middle Ages, when wealthy families built towers to show their power. Experts are still debating how best to fix the 157-foot structure, so for now, it’ll be wrapped in a protective box until a strategy is chosen. Mayor Matteo Lepore noted that the tower is a symbol of the city and emphasized the importance of finding a solution. “We have been monitoring it since 2018 like a patient in a hospital,” he says, “and we know now that it needs to be secured and restored, and decided to start immediately.”