The name of the Asinelli family, for example, is documented for the first time in 1185, almost 70 years after the presumed construction of the tower which is attributed to them.

Its addition is attributed to Giovanni Visconti, Duke of Milan, who allegedly wanted to use it to control the turbulent Mercato di Mezzo, the central street, today the via Rizzoli, to suppress possible revolts.

Initially, it was approximately 60 metres (about 200 feet) high, but had to be lowered in the 14th century due to a yielding of the ground which left it slanting and dangerous.

It was cited several times by Dante in the Divine Comedy and The Rhymes, a confirmation of his stay in Bologna,[1] and by Goethe in his Italian Journey.

[9] On 2 December 2023, the city announced that the tower was in danger of collapsing, and it began constructing a barrier to contain debris in the event of a fall.

[10] According to the city officials, work to prevent the collapse of the tower is expected to take at least 10 years and cost €20 million.