Torre Galluzzi

Torre Galluzzi is located in Piazza Galvani and it is part of the so-called triad of the medieval skyscrapers of Bologna, along with Torre Prendiparte and Torre Azzoguidi, standing in another area of the city centre. Even if they are far from each other, the three towers all belonged to a guelph family, that is to say in favour of the Pope, and it is not by chance they are all located in crucial areas in this respect: Torre Azzoguidi and Torre Prendiparte can be found next to the archibishop's seat, and the Galluzzi Towers next to the first municipal seat, once known as Complesso di Sant'Ambrogio.

Galluzzi Tower is still recognized for being tall (30 metres, surely reduced than the beginning) and strong: the tower's walls are so thick that no fire or attack have ever destroyed them, its socility has been for centuries synonym for power and richness. This tower is particularly interesting also for the area in which it is located: inside a place once known as “curia” where the residence, the gentle chapel and the towers belonging to one family only, can be found.

Now the ground floor of the tower hosts a book shop from which the original walls, now renovated, can be seen. On the contrary, from outside the shop, the original door (the one that opens at more than 6 metres from the ground). On the one hand its pointed arch shape shows the paryail modernity of the Tower, as the previous towers all have squared or circular doors and windows, stylistically older. On the other hand, the floor was evidently ruined because it was used (as it seems) as a connection point between the tower and the wooden house next to it. Galluzzi Tower was built in 1257, and was originally taller than its current 30 metres. The original entrance was on a floor about 10 metres above ground level, and the Galluzzi family used to enter it through a window located halfway up the tower, using mobile wooden bridges that stuck out from their houses. The thickness of the tower’s walls – sometimes more than 3 metres - and its remarkable height served to keep a watchful eye over the surrounding houses.

Source: Bologna la selva turrita (in Italian) enhancement project of the historical-architectural Bologna's heritage supported by the Fondazione del Monte.