Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, Gothic palace near Campo Manin, Venice, Italy
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a noble residence near Campo Manin in Venice, recognizable by its distinctive spiral staircase on the exterior facade. The staircase rises through several floors, linking pointed arches with rounded openings up to a viewing platform beneath the roof.
The Contarini family, an influential Venetian noble lineage, had this residential palace built in the 15th century to display their social rank. The unusual exterior staircase was likely added around 1499 as a later addition to the original structure.
The Venetian term 'Bovolo' describes the spiral form of the exterior staircase winding along the facade, giving the building its nickname. Visitors experience an architectural solution that moved the ascent between floors outdoors, creating a vertical path with arcaded openings.
Access to the building is through narrow lanes away from main routes, with signage leading from Campo Manin through small passages. Those climbing the spiral staircase should watch for slippery steps and wear sturdy footwear.
The arcade openings along the staircase follow different stylistic elements: the lower floors show Gothic pointed arches, while higher up, Renaissance rounded arches appear. This transition reflects the construction period, when Venice stood between two artistic eras.
Location: Venice
Architectural style: Gothic art
Address: Sestiere San Marco 4303, 30124 Venezia
GPS coordinates: 45.43481,12.33453
Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:28
Venice offers many opportunities for photos. The city sits on over one hundred small islands connected by canals and bridges. The Grand Canal curves through the historic center, lined with palaces from different centuries. The Rialto Bridge spans the canal at its narrowest point and has served as a major crossing since the 16th century. St. Mark's Square forms the center of the city, with St. Mark's Basilica, the campanile, and Doge's Palace. The Bridge of Sighs connects the palace to the former prison cells. On the surrounding islands, you can find other landmarks: Burano displays brightly painted houses, Murano is known for its glass workshops, and Torcello preserves Byzantine mosaics from the early Middle Ages. The Cannaregio district in the north houses the Jewish Museum and quieter canals away from the main routes. The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute stands at the entrance to the Grand Canal and shapes the city's skyline.
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