Ghirlandina Tower
Ghirlandina Tower features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Modena. Give it roughly ~60 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type landmark
- Suggested visit ~60 min
- Modena Modena guide
About Ghirlandina Tower
The 89-metre Romanesque-Gothic campanile adjacent to Modena Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, famous for housing the legendary "Secchia Rapita", a stolen bucket that started a war.
The Ghirlandina Tower is Modena's most distinctive skyline element and a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the Cathedral and Piazza Grande. Rising 89 metres, the tower combines Romanesque and Gothic architectural elements, its name derived from the garlands of marble elements that adorn its upper section. Construction began alongside the cathedral in 1099 and continued until the 14th century when the Gothic spire was added. The tower houses a legendary artefact: the Secchia Rapita, the Stolen Bucket. According to historical tradition, in 1325 Modenese soldiers raided Bologna and carried off a wooden bucket from the Bolognese well. The outraged Bolognesi sent an army to recover it; the armies met at the Battle of Zappolino in November 1325, the largest medieval battle fought on Italian soil, which Modena won decisively. The bucket was never returned and is still kept in the tower, though the bucket currently displayed is a replica (the original is in the Palazzo Comunale).
Did you know? The Battle of Zappolino (1325), fought to recover a stolen bucket, was the largest medieval battle on Italian soil, 30,000 Bolognesi vs. 7,000 Modenesi, and Modena won.
How long is a visit to Ghirlandina Tower?
Set aside roughly ~60 min for Ghirlandina Tower. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Ghirlandina Tower worth your time?
Ghirlandina Tower is among the 18 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Modena, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Modena
Hear the story of Ghirlandina Tower
Preview the Modena tour free in the Gingerguide app.