For centuries, the Italian skyline was defined by terracotta rooftops and cathedral domes rather than modern skyscrapers. This historic character is so protected that high-rises are a rare sight, mostly concentrated in the business districts of cities like Milan and Naples. Before the age of glass and steel, the title for the tallest building in Italy belonged to the Mole Antonelliana in Turin. Completed in 1889, its 167.5-metre spire was an architectural wonder of its time.
The official tallest building in Italy
While it's the source of a classic debate in Milan, the title for the tallest building in Italy goes to the Allianz Tower. The confusion often comes down to the UniCredit Tower's enormous spire. However, the Allianz Tower is taller in overall architectural height, soaring 263 metres over the futuristic CityLife district in Milan.
Allianz Tower
The Allianz Tower solidified the CityLife district's place on the map in 2015, a massive urban regeneration plan that transformed Milan's historic former trade fair grounds. The tower's design is sleek and modular, appearing as a stack of eight six-floor segments with a gently curved glass facade.
One of its most striking features is the set of four golden support struts that climb up the exterior, providing structural stability while adding a distinctive visual flair. With 50 floors of office space, it serves as the headquarters for the Allianz group.
UniCredit Tower
UniCredit Tower is the crowning jewel of the Porta Nuova project, one of Europe's most significant urban redevelopment schemes in recent history. The building’s most defining element is its impressive 80-metre spire. This spire is fitted with LEDs that often light up in different colours to mark holidays or special events.
Beyond its appearance, the tower was designed with sustainability in mind and has earned a LEED Gold certification for its energy efficiency.
The Top 10 tallest buildings in Italy
Here is a rundown of the ten tallest skyscrapers you'll find dotting the Italian skyline today, with Milan clearly dominating the list.
Allianz Tower (Milan)
Standing at 263 metres, this skyscraper in the CityLife district has been the tallest building in Italy since its completion in 2015.
UniCredit Tower (Milan)
This iconic landmark reaches 238 metres and was the country's tallest building from 2011 to 2015.
Piedmont Region Headquarters (Turin)
At 213 metres, this is the tallest building in Turin and the headquarters for the regional government, finished in 2022.
Generali Tower (Milan)
Also in the CityLife district, this twisting tower, designed by Zaha Hadid, is 195 metres tall and was completed in 2018.
Libeskind Tower (Milan)
The third skyscraper in the CityLife trio, this 175-metre building was completed in 2021 and is known for its curved silhouette.
Torre Intesa Sanpaolo (Turin)
Turin's second entry on the list stands at 167 metres and was finished in 2013.
Palazzo Lombardia (Milan)
The seat of the Lombardy regional government, this 163-metre complex was Italy's tallest building for a year after its completion in 2010.
Torre Eurosky (Rome)
The tallest building in the capital and the tallest residential building in Italy, this 156-metre tower was completed in 2013 and is also the tallest residential building in Italy.
Torre Solaria (Milan)
Located in the Porta Nuova district, this 153-metre residential skyscraper was completed in 2013.
Torre Pontina (Latina)
The only building on the list outside of a major metropolitan hub, this 152-metre tower in Latina, south of Rome, was completed in 2010.
Tallest structures vs. buildings in Italy
When we talk about the highest man-made objects in a country, it's important to separate 'buildings' from 'structures'. A structure is a much broader term that includes everything from bridges and dams to chimneys and transmission masts.
Allianz Tower may be the tallest building, but it isn't the tallest man-made structure in Italy. That title actually goes to a radio mast in Sicily: the Caltanissetta transmitter. Standing at a massive 286 metres, this guyed mast was built way back in 1951 for broadcasting. It's significantly taller than any skyscraper in the country. Italy's list of tallest structures also features the 262-metre-high Vajont Dam and the 274-metre Punta Maestra Chimney.
How Italy’s tallest building compares in Europe
While the Allianz Tower is an impressive landmark for Milan, on the grand European stage, it doesn't quite make it into the top tier. Italy's tallest building is significantly outranked by giants elsewhere in Europe.
The undisputed champion for Europe's tallest building is the Lakhta Center in St. Petersburg, Russia, which stands at 462 metres. Even if we focus solely on the European Union, the title goes to the Varso Tower in Warsaw, Poland, at 310 metres. Cities like London, Frankfurt, and Madrid all boast taller skyscrapers, while districts like La Défense in Paris have a much denser collection of high-rises.
Other notable tall buildings in Italy
Beyond the giants in Milan and Turin, several other skyscrapers define their local cityscapes and are worth knowing about. These buildings might not break into the top ten, but they are significant landmarks in their own right.
- Telecom Italia Tower (Naples): a 129-metre tower that has been the tallest building in Naples since it was completed in 1995. It stands as the centrepiece of the city's business district Centro Direzionale.
- Il Matitone (Genoa): this 109-metre skyscraper is affectionately nicknamed 'Il Matitone' (The Big Pencil) by locals due to its distinctive octagonal shape and pointed roof.
- Crystal Palace (Brescia): at 110 metres, this is the tallest building in Brescia and a prominent example of modern architecture outside of Italy's biggest metropolitan hubs.
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