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italiano
Bologna
The Legend of the Two Towers of Bologna
The Two Towers are the symbol of Bologna and are located on the ancient Via Emilia. Made of masonry, they had the function of defending and warning, as well as representing the social status of the Asinelli family. The Asinelli Tower was built between 1109 and 1119 and is the tallest leaning medieval tower in the world, as well as one of twenty that can still be seen in ancient Turrita Bologna.
Today, a number of craft stores have been relocated under the portico so as to recall the commercial purpose of the medieval 'middle market'.
The younger sister of the Asinelli Tower is the Garisenda, about 50 meters shorter and with an overhang of 3.22 meters due to greater subsidence of the ground and foundations.
However, just a few people know the legend of these two famous symbols of the city. Many students believe that going up the Asinelli Tower before graduating might prevent them from getting their degree.
According to legend, there was a farmer who devoted all his days to working the fields, aided by his two donkeys. He hoped to expand his fields one day to help his family, especially his only son.
One day the donkeys, as if they had gone mad, began kicking and digging more and more, until something emerged from the earth and surprised the farmer: a chest full of gold and silver coins and precious stones. Amazed by the find, the farmer renamed such treasure "the donkey treasure."
He did not tell anyone about what had happened, not even his wife. However, he did not keep all the treasure for himself; in fact, he occasionally gave her a little more money than normal to buy what the family needed.
His standard of living improved, although in an understated way. Meanwhile, the son grew up to become a well educated and charming man, as his father chose the best tutors and teachers for him.
The young man fell in love with a maiden belonging to one of the most prominent families in Bologna, and she felt the same way about him. However, the difference in social status was too great to hope that the maiden's family would accept such a union.
The young girl became so desperate that her beloved, unable to see her in that state, decided to face the noble family. The father laughed at the boy's request and said that the marriage would take place only if he could build a very high tower.
That same evening, the young man confided in his father, who immediately found the solution: he handed over to him the treasure he had been holding. Work immediately began on the tower, now known as the "Asinelli Tower".
Today, a number of craft stores have been relocated under the portico so as to recall the commercial purpose of the medieval 'middle market'.
The younger sister of the Asinelli Tower is the Garisenda, about 50 meters shorter and with an overhang of 3.22 meters due to greater subsidence of the ground and foundations.
However, just a few people know the legend of these two famous symbols of the city. Many students believe that going up the Asinelli Tower before graduating might prevent them from getting their degree.
According to legend, there was a farmer who devoted all his days to working the fields, aided by his two donkeys. He hoped to expand his fields one day to help his family, especially his only son.
One day the donkeys, as if they had gone mad, began kicking and digging more and more, until something emerged from the earth and surprised the farmer: a chest full of gold and silver coins and precious stones. Amazed by the find, the farmer renamed such treasure "the donkey treasure."
He did not tell anyone about what had happened, not even his wife. However, he did not keep all the treasure for himself; in fact, he occasionally gave her a little more money than normal to buy what the family needed.
His standard of living improved, although in an understated way. Meanwhile, the son grew up to become a well educated and charming man, as his father chose the best tutors and teachers for him.
The young man fell in love with a maiden belonging to one of the most prominent families in Bologna, and she felt the same way about him. However, the difference in social status was too great to hope that the maiden's family would accept such a union.
The young girl became so desperate that her beloved, unable to see her in that state, decided to face the noble family. The father laughed at the boy's request and said that the marriage would take place only if he could build a very high tower.
That same evening, the young man confided in his father, who immediately found the solution: he handed over to him the treasure he had been holding. Work immediately began on the tower, now known as the "Asinelli Tower".