There Tower of the Countsone of the most impressive monuments of the medieval capital, was the scene of two consecutive collapses occurred late this morning November 3, 2025during the restoration and safety works.
The first failure involved part of the scaffolding and a retaining wallcausing the injury of a worker. Shortly after, a second collapse he forced i Fire Brigadealready engaged in rescue operations, to a hasty retreat: fortunately, none of them were injured. The entire area was immediately evacuated and cordoned off, while the Capitoline Superintendence has ordered a total suspension of the works to carry out new structural checks.
Unharmed i #firefighters following the second collapse of the Torre dei Conti a #Romein the center area. Rescue efforts continue (#3 November 1.00pm) pic.twitter.com/CR1KhuwQ5m
— Fire Brigade (@vigilidelfuoco) November 3, 2025
A fragile monument at the center of a major restoration
The Torre dei Conti is located between Largo Corrado Ricci and the Imperial Forumsin the heart of historic Rome. Built at the beginning of the 13th century by the powerful family of the Counts of Segnithe tower is considered one of the most important testimonies of medieval Rome.
The building, originally tall over 50 metres and today reduced to about 29, it was erected in 1203 under the pontificate of Innocent IIIhow fortified residence and symbol of noble power of the house.
The restoration project — financed with funds Pnrr within the program “Caput Mundi – Next Generation EU” — points to secure and enhance the monument, returning it to the city as museum and cultural space. The intervention includes the anti-seismic consolidationThe restoration of travertine wallstheinstallation of static monitoring systems and a new artistic lighting system.
The causes of vulnerability
The tower, designed by the architect Marchionne Aretinowas made using reused materials from Roman ruins, a common practice at the time but which contributes to its fragility today.
Over the centuries it has suffered damage due to earthquakes, fires and urban planning interventions: the opening of via Cavour And via dei Fori Imperiali it has in fact modified the static context, isolating the structure and weakening its foundations.
Experts speak of a “very delicate” balance, made even more unstable by the weight of the new scaffolding and the vibrations produced by the consolidation works. The ongoing investigations will have to clarify whether the collapses were due to pre-existing failures oh errors in restoration operations.
The restoration of the Torre dei Conti represented one of the symbolic projects of the “Caput Mundi” plan, intended to restore splendor to the monuments of ancient and medieval Rome. In addition to the recovery of the tower, the plan includes the complete pedestrianization of Largo Corrado Ricciwith new archaeological routes and panoramic spaces on the Imperial Forums.
But now the construction site is at a standstill, and with it the ambition to restore the tower to its former glory. The authorities assure that the works will resume “only in fully safe conditions”, but the episode has reopened the debate on fragility of the Roman historical heritage and on need for more controlled and transparent restorations.
The Tower of the Counts
Erected in a strategic position between Peace Forum and the road that connected the Capitoline Hill at the Lateranthe Tower of the Counts represented the heart of the power of the Conti di Segnia family that gave the Church popes like Innocent III And Gregory IX.
In the Middle Ages the tower dominated the city, a visual symbol of papal and noble supremacy, so much so that it was nicknamed “Major Tower“. Today, despite centuries of abandonment, it remains one of the few monuments capable of telling the story of the meeting – and the clash – between Imperial Rome and Papal Rome.
A wound that calls for responsibility
Today’s collapses are a wake-up call: the Torre dei Conti can’t wait any longer. After centuries of surviving wars, earthquakes and neglect, the monument needs solid, safe and respectful interventions of its history.
Rome, an eternal but fragile city, cannot afford to lose another piece of its memory. And the rebirth of the Torre dei Conti – suspended today between past and present – will be the true test of how much the Capital really wants to take care of its heritage.
The Torre dei Conti at the Imperial Forum in Rome collapses: digging is underway to look for people under the rubble
