A unimodal map $f:[0,1] \to [0,1]$ is renormalizable if there is a sub-interval $I \subset [0,1]$ and an $n > 1$ such that $f^n|_I$ is unimodal. The renormalization of $f$ is $f^n|_I$ rescaled to the unit interval.

We extend the well-known classification of limits of renormalization of unimodal maps with bounded combinatorics to a classification of the limits of renormalization of unimodal maps with essentially bounded combinatorics. Together with results of Lyubich on the limits of renormalization with essentially unbounded combinatorics, this completes the combinatorial description of limits of renormalization. The techniques are based on the towers of McMullen and on the local analysis around perturbed parabolic points. We define a parabolic tower to be a sequence of unimodal maps related by renormalization or parabolic renormalization. We state and prove the combinatorial rigidity of bi-infinite parabolic towers with complex bounds and essentially bounded combinatorics, which implies the main theorem.

As an example we construct a natural unbounded analogue of the period-doubling fixed point of renormalization, called the essentially period-tripling fixed point.