Long before Instagram was a thing, a spiral staircase in Venice fascinated locals and travelers alike. The Scala Contarini del Bovolo boasts a centuries-long history, although it’s still one of the city’s hidden gems. Despite being close to the iconic St Mark’s Square, it’s easy to miss due to its position on a small side street (Italian: calle) of Campo Manin.
It was due to various historical and artistic elements that on a recent journey to Venice, I decided to visit the iconic Scala del Bovolo. Therefore, in the following lines, you will find some interesting facts about the staircase and the iconic palazzo attached to it, and see my photos. Moreover, I’ll also share tips and info for your visit to the Scala Bovolo.
So, let’s begin with the things you need to know before visiting the Scala Contarini del Bovolo.
*Some links are affiliate links. It means that if you buy something, I might earn a small commission at no additional cost to you.
Scala Contarini del Bovolo facts
Seen today as an architectural marvel of former times, the Palazzo del Bovolo has a rich history: its staircase has appeared in an iconic movie, is featured in a painting, once housed an astronomer, and is tightly connected to one of Venice’s founding families. If these sound as tempting as they sounded to me, read on to uncover the palazzo’s story.
When was the Palazzo del Bovolo built?
In its current shape, the Bovolo Palace was built between the late 14th and the early 15th century. Designed by the famous architect Giovanni Candi, the small palazzo in Venice’s heart served as one of the residences of the Contarini family. The Contarinis were not just another Venetian family: it is of the families that founded the city of Venice.
To get a better impression, the Contarinis gave eight Doges to the Republic of Venice and countless ambassadors and notable personalities.
What does del Bovolo mean?
The spiral staircase was attached to the Palazzo Contarini by the end of the 15th century. The attachment of the staircase to the palazzo somehow attached the words “del Bovolo” next to the family’s name. Del Bovolo translates to “of the snail,” and this was due to the staircase’s shape.
From then on, the building started being known as the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo -and its staircase has ever since been called Scala Contarini del Bovolo.
The stars above the Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Although the palace served as a hotel for a couple of years, it was during the 19th century that the building expanded its fame. It was in 1859 that the German astronomer Wilhelm Tempel performed his first observations. Through the lens of his telescope, Tempel observed the night sky and its celestial bodies from the tower of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo.
On the 2nd of April, Tempel discovered the comet C/1859 G1 and the Merope Nebula of the Pleiades from the top of Palazzo Contarini.
The Scala del Bovolo in an iconic Orson Welles movie
The world-famous American director Orson Welles immortalized the staircase in his 1952 movie, Othello. Welles chose the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo as one of the primary locations for his Shakespeare adaptation movie. In Welles’ Othello, the palazzo serves as Brabantio’s house, a Venetian senator and father of Desdemona.
The spiral staircase is featured widely in the movie, and Welles, a master of cinematography, offered some of its most famous captures.
What makes the Scala Contarini del Bovolo unique?
The Scala Contarini del Bovolo is a unique example of Venetian architecture, combining different styles and elements. The interior flight of stairs seemingly leads to the sky like a firework, while the palazzo itself has open loggias and arcades. Additionally, there’s a patchwork of architectural styles, from Renaissance to Gothic and Venetian-Byzantine. And when climbing all the way to the building’s top, the visitor can have fantastic views of Venice’s rooftops and the Campanile of San Marco (like in the cover photo of this article).
Fun fact: despite offering tremendous panoramic views of Venice, you can’t see the Grand Canal.
See a Tintoretto painting up close
The second floor of Palazzo Bovolo serves as an exhibition hall, and there, you can admire a painting by Jacopo Tintoretto up close. It is actually one of the four sketches of “Paradise,” commissioned in 1582 by the Venice Republic Senate. However, what makes the sketch unique is that the one portrayed at the Palazzo is significantly different from the ones at the Louvre in Paris and at Museo Thyssen-Bornemisza in Madrid. Among the key differences is the globe at the bottom center, which is absent in the Paris and Madrid sketches.
The Scala Contarini del Bovolo in numbers
So, here’s what you need to know to get an impression of the Scala del Bovolo:
- The spiral staircase is 26 meters high.
- To reach the Belvedere at its top, you’ll need to climb 113 steps.
- It has 6 floors made of red brick.
- The palazzo opened to the public in 2016.
Scala del Bovolo info and tips
In the final section of this article, you’ll find info and tips for your Scala del Bovolo visit.
Opening times & admission fees
The Scala Contarini del Bovolo is open daily between 10 am and 6 pm. The regular ticket costs 8 euros while the reduced costs 6 euros.
Please keep in mind that access to Scala Contarini del Bovolo is limited, and it’s better to pre-book your tickets. You can purchase your ticket here.
Scala del Bovolo tip
The busiest time is between 12 pm and 3 pm. That’s when most people visit Scala Bovolo, so it’s better to visit it either before or after. Especially during the peak season, the Scala can be crowded.
How to photograph Scala Contarini del Bovolo
Due to its location on a tight alley, I found it pretty hard to photograph Scala del Bovolo. While capturing the stunning Venice views from the rooftop is easy, it’s challenging to capture the palazzo.
My best tip for photographing the Scala del Bovolo is to have a wide-angle lens attached to your camera. An 18- or even 16-mm lens should be sufficient to capture the impressive building from ground level.
Where in Venice is the Scala del Bovolo?
The exact address is Scala Contarini del Bovolo, 4303, 30124 Venezia. Alternatively, you can see the palazzo on Google Maps here.
Scala Contarini del Bovolo in Venice, Italy: conclusion
Although spiral staircases weren’t that uncommon in the previous centuries, the Scala Contarini del Bovolo is the most famous in Venice. It is still one of the Serenissima’s hidden gems, and I highly recommend visiting it. Apart from the tremendous rooftop views, visiting a Venetian palazzo and climbing a famous spiral staircase are musts. Additionally, for art lovers, the Tintoretto painting in the exhibition hall is a great extra. So, book your ticket and enjoy a unique Venetian landmark.
More about Venice: Vaporetto Guide, Lido travel guide, Venice guided walks, Gondola ride tips, Ponte dell’Accademia
Pin it for later
Sharing is caring. Share this article about the Scala Contarini del Bovolo with your friends.
Last Updated on March 9, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos