I recently thought about the best places in Venice that offer the possibility to take nice panorama shots and, amongst others, I remembered the Palazzo Contarini dal Bòvolo, one of the better known architectural masterpieces in the Venetian lagoon, only a stone’s throw away from Campo Manin. (Unfortunately, at the moment, the palazzo – and thus the stair – is not accessible to the public as construction works are going on.)
Venezia: Contarini dal Bòvolo
Venezia: Contarini dal Bòvolo
Once you reached the tiny courtyard you will understand why the name that the Venetian citizens chose for the palazzo is so fitting, as the monumental stairway is really winding up direction sky. (Note: a spiral stair is called „scala a chiocciola“ in Italian, „snail stair“, „bòvolo“ is the Venetian word for “snail”.)
The stair was „attached“ in 1499 by Giovanni Candi to the already existing palazzo and should have permitted the owner Pietro Contarini, according to a legend, to reach his bedroom by horse (!). (Actually, once, people were getting around Venice by boat/by foot and also by horse.)
Once the stairway reopens you’ll enjoy a great view from the top of the palazzo.
The stairway reopens on the 30th of January 2016.
Venezia: Vista panoramica dal belvedere – Contarini dal Bovolo
Admission fee
€5/person
Opening hours
Tuesday – Sunday:
10am – 01.30 pm and 02pm – 6pm
Last admission 5.30pm
Monday: Closed
