Bologna Torre Prendiparte
Torre Prendiparte Photos
About Torre Prendiparte
This tower dating to the 12th century was constructed by a consortium once belonging to the powerful Guelf family Prendiparte. The current owner is Matteo Giovanardi. It’s 58.50m tall and is the second highest in Bologna but is thought to be originally much higher since the walls at ground level are 2.86m thick.
Also known as the Coronata – the Crowned One – because near the top are jagged brick works that resemble the shape of a crown. For a long time it served as a military stronghold but in 1588 it was sold to the Mensa Arcivescovato (Curia of the Archdiocese which, incidentally, was connected to the seminary next door). Up until this point, this structure, like many others around Bologna at the time was a fortress that offered refuge in times of danger.
However, when the seminary relocated, the tower was turned to a more sombre use. These tiny rooms were used as a prison by the Archdiocese in the 18th century. Sentences were passed by the ecclesiastical tribunal.
After the prison was closed the tower soon fell to disrepair over the decades and it wasn’t until the 1750’s that an attempt was made to try and restore it. This was a partial fix though since only a few floors at the bottom were renovated leaving the top untouched.
In 1972 Clemente Giovanardi bought the tower from its previous owner from Imola who apparently was prepared to sell it due to his own financial problems. This new investment for Signor Giovanardi was in fact registered under his son Matteo who was only a teenager at the time.
After years of costly renovations Matteo eventually moved into the 12 storey tower and made it his home for some years. He said of it: “Living in a place like this allows you to isolate yourself from the outside world and to find yourself. It emphasizes your state of being, amplifying your senses. Whether you are reading a book or listening to your iPod, you are able to let go of your senses more freely knowing that you’re protected by walls that are two meters thick that were built nine centuries ago.”
Presently though, Torre Prendiparte is now an exclusive B&B since to rent it means renting the whole tower. Other services include using it for events, exhibitions, cocktail parties, meetings and of course a romantic dinner on the roof top terrace.
One of the strangest events here included a tango exhibition for 30 people in 2007. Artists are also encouraged to find inspiration here since the vertical use of space makes this tower an interesting proposition.
This third floor room referred humorously as the Punishment Cell is used for holding a buffet or light snacks. In the past though this little covered section here by the window was a solitary confinement cell.
This room on the fourth floor is often used for galas or even wine tasting but this was the official prison room in 1751. Under the table in the corner, is this little hole. It was actually the toilet so prisoners would have to stand above it and presumably aim well. On the opposite side is another significant piece of past evidence. It’s bowl shaped hole which was used to mix urine and a red powder to produce these next incredible pieces of ancient graffiti.
This image is of a baby Jesus of which there are three more above this one. On another wall is this very graphic illustration which in Italian is all too familiar for meaning that this place for a prisoner was really difficult and hard going.
One piece of graffiti puts this feeling into words and laments: ‘la misera condicione di chi viene qua dentro,’ meaning, ‘miserable conditions wait for those who come here.
The hard work of climbing to the top of the 12 storeys soon pays-off. Bologna can be seen far and wide with all the unmistakable sights like the Due Torre and the famous churches appearing on its doorstep.
On the side of this brickwork is a marble plaque. It states that the tower belonged to the Prendiparte family, but underneath it also includes the name Luccio Bernagozzi who carried out one of the first restoration programmes here in 1884.
References
Giuseppe Sassatelli, Cristiana Morigi Govi, Jacopo Ortalli, Francesca Bocchi, Atlante Storico Delle Città Italiane Emilia Romagna Bologna I, Bologna 1996, p194.
Tiziano Costa – Marco Poli, Conoscere Bologna, Bologna 2005, p227.
Mara Able, Sessanta Metri Di Emozioni, (Article Mensile Bologna) Translated, Santa Cruz, 2008.