Prendiparte Tower

Historical building, Bologna

Prendiparte Tower


A few steps from Via Rizzoli stands one of Bologna's tallest towers, second only to that of the Asinelli. It is the Prendiparte Tower, 59 metres high for an ancient structure of medieval origin, dating back to the 12th century, also called 'la coronata' (the crowned one) because of the decoration visible on its upper part that resembles a pointed crown.

That of the Guelph Prendiparte family is one of the few towers that have come down to us intact. Only about twenty towers remain today of the hundred that once populated the town. However, Prendiparte is also one of the few towers that can still be visited today. Recently converted into a B&B, the property opens periodically to the public, who can therefore access the various floors and also the terrace from which there is a wonderful view over the city.

Originally built for defensive purposes, the tower later housed the prison of the nearby curia (from the third to the fifth floor) and finally a private residence. The signs of the structure's change of use are pretty evident inside, especially on the walls of the fifth floor where we can see various inscriptions and graffiti of the prisoners who were incarcerated there. A rather colourful example is that of Angelo Rizzoli, who wrote on the wall the reason for his imprisonment, namely "for having impregnated two sisters".

When the tower was later taken away from the curia in Napoleonic times, the first three floors of the building became private dwellings. However, the current door of the structure does not correspond to the original one, but was added at that time. In the Middle Ages, in fact, one entered through the upper door, located about halfway up, which could be reached by stairs or directly from inside the Prendiparte residence.

The legend of the moonstone

What we see at the foot of the Prendiparte tower is a basement of selenite, a widespread type of rock in the Bolognese Apennines, also known as moonstone. Selenite looks like a luminous stone due to its particular crystal composition, but it is also very porous and able to absorb moisture.

That is why the first circle of Roman walls in Bologna was built of this material, which, although crumbling easily, was able to defend the city from its humid climate.

The lustre of selenite, on the other hand, gave rise to a legend set in Roman times. It is said that, tried by a long siege and surrounded by enemy troops, Bologna was about to give in when the gods came to its aid. Lighting up the night with the full moon, they caused the selenite walls to shine with all their light; the enemies then, taken aback, abandoned Bologna for fear of repercussions from the gods.





34 Related tours