Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Scala Contarini del Bovolo Venice
The Bovolo Staircase
Almost a hidden gem, as not everyone has heard of this staircase. It’s part of the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo and offers a fantastic view over part of Venice!
My Rating:
The Positives:
Beautiful view over the rooftops of Venice and towards St. Mark's Basilica.
The Negatives:
Access for people with mobility impairments is possible, BUT you have to contact the administration at least three days in advance so that arrangements can be made. But somehow this is positive again ;)
Last Modified: 20.04.2026 | Céline & Susi
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Tickets
The details
at a glance
23 February to 25 October:
Daily: 10.00 to 18.00 h
Last admission at 17.30 h
Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Photo Gallery
What is there
to see?
Just a five-minute walk from St Mark’s Square you’ll find the Palazzo Contarini with its spiral staircase. We end up getting a little lost on the way, as the viewing tower is tucked away in a tiny alley.
From the outside, the palazzo is an absolute highlight! In a leafy courtyard you’ll see the 28-metre-high spiral staircase built from red brick, with columns and decorative details in white marble. Brick was commonly used in Venice, as it was easy to transport and provided a sturdy structure. Inside, too, the tower impresses with its far-reaching views.
“Bovolo” means “snail shell” in the Venetian dialect, referring to the staircase’s spiral shape. It’s a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architecture. Experts, however, will surely notice that not two but three styles influenced the design: Renaissance elements appear in the capitals, Gothic in the construction techniques, and the Venetian-Byzantine style is visible in the overall form. This combination is quite unusual compared to other buildings in the area.
Eighty steps lead to the top, where a round platform offers a wonderful view over the rooftops of the city. Through the large arches you look out towards St Mark’s Basilica and the bell tower. It may be a bit windy up there, but the atmosphere is wonderfully romantic. 🙂
After roughly forty steps, you can take a breather in the Stanza Tintoretto, a room with Venetian art from the 16th to 18th centuries. It’s named after the famous Venetian painter Jacopo Tintoretto (1518–1594), as one of his drawings is displayed here.
“Paradise” is the famous work you can see in this room. Only in the 1970s—after extensive restoration—was the piece attributed to Tintoretto. It’s a study for the large-scale painting you can admire in the Great Council Hall of the Doge’s Palace (There is annother Draft in the Fondazione Querini Stampalia). The final work is slightly different, though.
Tintoretto chose the subject wisely: This Paradise is meant to symbolise the good governance of the Republic. This “heavenly” jury was intended to encourage the members of the Great Council to be just as virtuous and wise.
The climb may be a little sweaty, but we can only recommend it—it’s a peaceful change of pace from the bustle of Venice.
However, we advise those with knee problems or limited mobility to skip the ascent.
If you’re travelling with children, you can turn the walk from St Mark’s Square to the tower into a sort of treasure hunt: no map, no Google Maps, just following the signposts. Either way, we hope you have a fantastic time!
Palazzo Contarini
A bit of History
The building took its name from the Contarini family, who were among the influential noble families of Venice. The Palazzo Contarini was built in the 14th century, and the staircase was constructed in the 15th century.
The year 1499 marked a significant moment for Palazzo Contarini, as the major redesign began. The building became noticeably more complex—and, for us today, far more intriguing. The most striking change was the new spiral staircase with its columns and arcades, which was considered highly unusual for its time. This staircase is now regarded as an important and famous example of Renaissance architecture in Venice. From the original structure, the pre-Gothic round arches at the back of the building were still preserved.
It was Pietro Contarini—who owned the palace from 1489—who commissioned the respected local craftsman Giovanni Candi to carry out these architectural transformations. With his wish for innovation, Pietro Contarini was ahead of his time within the Venetian elite. The courtyard became a place for architectural and artistic developments. Even in the present day, the grassy areas of the courtyard still display well curbs from different eras.
The tower’s position between Rialto and San Marco was strategically very advantageous. Rialto was regarded as the economic centre of the city, while San Marco served as the heart of religion and politics.
In the 17th century, the Contarini family left the palace. The palazzo then became a rental house, later a hotel, and eventually the administrative headquarters of a charitable organisation. Through these changes, the original appearance of the building was altered.
It was only in 2012 that a comprehensive programme of restoration and reconstruction took place. Since then, the building and its staircase have been open to the public.
Official website of the Bovolo Tower (IT/EN): www.gioiellinascostidivenezia.it
Text and image rights: © Céline Mülich, 2023–2026
With support from Susanne Vukan.
