Torre della Ghirlandina Tower

Address: Torre della Ghirlandina, Piazza Grande, Modena, Emilia‑Romagna, Italy

The Torre della Ghirlandina is the bell tower of Modena Cathedral and a civic symbol of the city, rising to about 87 metres. It forms part of the cathedral complex inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The tower contains bells and interior spaces associated with the cathedral; its upper levels offer views across Modena and the surrounding plain. Architectural details include a mix of Romanesque and Gothic elements typical of northern Italian campaniles.

Construction began in the late 12th century and continued into the medieval period, with successive additions and decorative work across centuries. The tower has served both liturgical functions for the cathedral and as a civic lookout.

The tower stands on the Piazza Grande in central Modena adjacent to the cathedral and the Palazzo Comunale, in the historic centre of the city.

• Top access: A climb to the top provides panoramic views of Modena and the surrounding Po plain; check opening hours as interior access is limited at times.
• World Heritage status: Inscribed as part of the UNESCO World Heritage listing for Modena Cathedral, the tower is an architectural emblem of the city.

The Torre della Ghirlandina stands beside Modena Cathedral in Modena’s city centre. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk from Modena railway station (served by regional trains on the Bologna-Milan corridor); the tower is immediately accessible on foot from the historic centre.

• Buy a timed ticket or arrive early to join the limited-capacity climb to the top of the Ghirlandina; visiting outside school-trip hours gives you a quieter ascent and clearer views over Modena.
• Enter via Piazza Grande and allow time to visit both the cathedral and the tower together-many visitors see only the exterior but the climb and the upper-level viewpoints are the highlight most people miss.