The Torre della Ghirlandina, also known as Ghirlandina (Emilian: Ghirlandèina), is the bell tower of the Cathedral of Modena in Emilia-Romagna, Italy.

It stands 86.12 metres tall and is a well-known symbol of Modena, visible from all directions outside the city.

The tower was built in 1179 with five floors and was originally named Torre di San Geminiano. To compete with towers in Bologna, the Comune added an octagonal cusp, designed by Arrigo da Campione, a master from Campione who worked on the cathedral’s renovation during the 13th to 15th centuries. The tower’s top features two ghirlande, which are marble railings, giving the tower its name.

Inside, the Sala della Secchia room contains 15th-century frescoes and a copy of the depiction of the Secchia rapita, which reminds people of the tower’s past role as the treasury of the Modenese Comune. The Sala dei Torresani hall on the fifth floor has sculpted capitals that are also notable.

The tower has five bells tuned in C major, cast during the Renaissance period. It also includes a stand for the oaken bucket from the War of the Bucket.

Restoration

The tower had a restoration project that began in December 2007. It was expected to be completed by 2010, but the work continued until September 2011. During the restoration, workers used scaffolding that was covered by an artistic screen painted by Italian sculptor Mimmo Paladino. This decision caused confusion among town residents because of the high cost and the unusual idea.