The Torri di Fraele are located in a mountain pass of the same name, also known as the the Scale Pass. These historic structures, situated at an altitude of 1,930 metres, can be seen from the road between Bormio and Livigno.

Built in 1391 during the period of Visconti rule, the towers were part of a larger fortress, designed to defend the area of Bormio against attacks from the north, and to aid control over Val Viola as far as Livigno. In fact, the towers were part of a complex defence system that also included a series of movable wooden steps [scale] used to cross sections that would otherwise have been impossible, and which give the pass its name, "Passo delle Scale". The towers were fortified by the Duke of Milan in 1491 and destroyed by the Grigioni, who invaded Bormio in 1513. 
Today, it is only possible to see the Torri di Fraele, although recent restoration work has made it possible to partly reconstruct the west tower, the largest of the two, which overlooks the valley from its height of 13 metres and width of 6.5 metres. Access to the towers is easy: just take the asphalt road from Bormio, and follow the signs to Sorgenti dell'Adda or the Cancano Lakes.