Bologna 2026

Bologna, the city of towers, is shaken in the 12th and 13th centuries by the conflict between two powerful factions—the Guelfs and the Ghibellines. Within its walls, fortified palaces rise, enclosed courtyards take shape, and ever-taller family towers dominate the skyline as symbols of prestige and power. Yet the fate of the city is not decided by stone alone: the favor of the podestà, an outsider entrusted with governance and justice, can tip the balance between dominance and downfall.

In Bologna, two players take on the roles of rival families striving to control the city. They gradually fill its districts with buildings, constructing houses and towers while enclosing courtyards that grant immediate influence. Each placement shapes both the current situation and future opportunities, forcing players to carefully decide when to secure courtyards, expand their presence, or invest in building higher towers.

The rules are straightforward, but the tactical depth is significant. On each turn, a player places a single building in one of the districts, either as a house, a house with a study, or a tower. Houses determine control of space and courtyards, while towers decide dominance over key landmarks in each district. The first player to enter an empty district also determines its landmark, which will be scored at the end of the game.

The game may end immediately if a player reaches the required level of influence through enclosed courtyards. Otherwise, final scoring combines points from courtyards with control of landmarks through tower majority. With no randomness and full control over every move, the outcome depends entirely on your decisions—will your family ultimately rule Bologna?

—description from the publisher