The tower was built in 1937 in the typical fascist-rationalist style according to a plan by three architects from Padua.
Indeed, it is since 1937 that the red tower, commissioned by the Opera Nazionale Balilla for the GIL youth (Gioventu' Italiana del Littorio), has overlooked the urban structure of Bolzano.
The tower has been a symbol of the city since then - at times praised, cherished, or loved, at other times ridiculed, exploited, disparaged or hated, but no one ever remains indifferent to it.

From being an architectural showpiece for fascism to being more or less illegally used as a dormitory by refugees and immigrants, the building renamed the ex-GIL tower underwent a process of gradual abandonment and degeneration.
Even the restoration, begun in 1995, that enabled the whole structure to become the new seat of the EURAC, did not do justice to the tower.  It was given a face-lift, but remained empty.

Thanks to the project  Journeys through Art and Science, life has returned to the staircase and landings of the tower and it has been transformed into a meeting place.  It provides a platform of dialogue and reflection for the local population in keeping with the spirit of reconciliation of memories and knowing that it has given life to the restoration of the entire EURAC.
Artists have in fact been asked to express their creativity, making use of the unusual setting of the staircase, the landings and the two terraces.  Visitors are tempted to linger on the steps and in the EURAC science cafè thanks to comfortable furnishings and the organisation of various happenings.

History
Planimetry (download pdf)