A symbol of the Emilian county town, the two towers dominate the Bolognese skyline unchallenged. They date from the 12th Century and were almost certainly built as much to symbolize the power of the noble families as to act as a military defense. This was a period of great wealth for Bologna and there was hardly a noble household which did not build its own family tower. The Torre degli Asinelli, which has remained untouched by the centuries, was the highest of all and is distinguishable by its slight incline, while the Torre della Garisenda is about half the height of the Asinelli, with a very distinct lean and is not open to the public.