Contarini del Bovolo Palace

The Contarini del Bovolo Palace

A secret stop on the Venice audio-guided tour, the Contarini del Bovolo Palace is a small hidden treasure, lost in a labyrinth of dead-end alleys. Probably built in the fourteenth century, it owed its fame to a branch of the Venetian Contarini family.

A powerful lineage

This powerful family, which provided the city with eight doges, settled close to St Mark's Square, the seat of power at the time. But it is above all the architectural aspect that made the place famous: inspired by the Florentine Renaissance and the Tower of Pisa, the owners had a superb spiral staircase built in 1499 on the outside of the palace.

What to see

Wound around a tower like the shell of a snail, bovolo in Venetian, this external staircase is unique in Venice. From the top of the tower, one enjoys a lovely view of the city's rooftops. Look carefully in the alleys to find this discreet jewel.

Practical information

The Contarini del Bovolo Palace is near St Mark's Square, in the San Marco district. Days, hours and prices should be checked depending on the season.

What makes the Contarini Palace famous ?

Its external spiral staircase, called bovolo, built in 1499 around a tower.

What does the word bovolo mean ?

Snail in Venetian, referring to the spiral shape of the staircase.