Not the Leaning Tower of Pisa: Italy sounds the alarm over another falling tower

A medieval tower in the Italian city of Bologna, which tilts as much as its famous counterpart in Pisa, has been sealed off due to fears that it could collapse.

The 47-meter-high tower tilts at a four-degree angle, and monitoring revealed changes in the direction of the tilt. Therefore, the authorities began to build a 5-meter-high barrier around the 12th-century Garizenda Tower to contain the debris in case of a fall. The city council said the situation was "extremely critical," the BBC reports.

The Garizenda Tower is one of two towers that tower over the Bologna skyline. The other tower, the Asinelli, is about twice as tall and also leans, though not as much, and is usually open to tourists. The buildings were constructed between 1109 and 1119, but the height of the Garizenda was reduced in the 14th century because it had already begun to lean.

To ensure the safety of the tower, sensors were installed to monitor any signs of cracks and in October the facility was closed after sensors picked up changes in the tilt of the Garizenda and inspections revealed deterioration in the materials that make up its base.

The council has launched a so-called civil protection plan to preserve the tower and said the work now beginning "represents the first phase of ensuring its safety." It says the barrier will not only keep debris out, but will also protect surrounding buildings and people in the event of a collapse. The statement also said that over the next six months, a protective metal fall protection mesh will be installed around the tower. The tower and the area below it will remain closed for several years while restoration work is carried out.