Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is not part of the main itineraries to discover the city but is considered by many to be one of Venice’s hidden gems. The building is said to have been constructed between the 14th and 15th centuries in Gothic style by architect Matteo Raverti for the Morosini della Sbarra family.

In 1444, however, the building was purchased by the Contarini of the San Paternian branch, a Venetian aristocratic family. It was during those years that the external spiral staircase that made the palace famous was built at the behest of Pietro Contarini.

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

At the time of the Venetian Republic, Palazzo Contarini was strategically located equidistant from Rialto and St. Mark ‘s, but it did not overlook the Grand Canal like the residences of other aristocratic Venetian families. This is why the Contarini family decided over the years to carry out various renovations that would make their residence a ‘unicum’ in the panorama of Venetian buildings through very special architectural details.

What we can now admire, therefore, is the result of work carried out mostly in the 15th century. The façade overlooking Rio San Luca in late Gothic style is simple, linear and spread over four levels: the ground floor, the two noble floors and the top floor. The interior façade, on the other hand, is the most distinctive and houses the famous Tower with a spiral staircase.

Bovolo Staircase

In the 15th century, to embellish his residence and make it unique, Pietro Contarini ordered the construction of a staircase tower on the inner façade. The round-shaped tower retains a spiral staircase inside, which took the name ‘Scala del Bovolo’. The term ‘bovolo’ was in fact used in Venetian to refer to spiral staircases. By extension, the term ‘bovolo’ was also added to the name of the Palace, as the staircase had become a very distinctive feature. The tower has five levels that give access to adjoining loggias characterised by rampant arches. It is known that the interior of the tower was once finely frescoed, but these have been largely lost and only a few traces remain today.

The staircase in total is 28 metres high and has 80 steps made of Istrian stone, a very valuable material at the time. According to legend, it was built so that Contarini could reach his bedroom on horseback, as this was on the very top floor of the building. In reality, the staircase is an architectural element built to give the residence a special new face. It is recommended to climb to the top of the tower where there is a dome with a panoramic terrace offering a 360° view of the lagoon.

It seems that the design of the Scala del Bovolo was carried out by the Venetian Giovanni Candi, a local craftsman who also carried out other renovations on the palace in the same years. In particular, the inner courtyard was remodelled with the addition of a small Renaissance-style building that was characterised by a series of open loggias with round arches. These works are an example that a Renaissance architectural style was also becoming increasingly popular in Venice thanks to the Tuscan artists who had arrived at the Serenissima.

Gallery of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Despite being famous for its spiral staircase, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo currently houses a Gallery with a selection of sculptures and paintings by important Venetian artists such as Tintoretto, Guardi and Sansovino.

Visitors can follow the museum tour largely dedicated to works by Italian artists between the 16th and 17th centuries. Among the most interesting works worth visiting are a rare papier-mâché sculpture by Jacopo Sansovino, the sketch of Paradise by Jacopo Tintoretto and the portrait of the Moor Lazzaro Zen by Francesco Guardi.

Tickets for Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

The cost of the tickets is:

• € 8.00 full price
• € 6,00 reduced (children 12-26 years old, over 65, FAI members, Italian Touring Club)
• Free for children 0-11 years old, authorised tour guides, residents.

Entrances take place every half hour and it is recommended to purchase the ticket online.

Opening hours

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is open every day with the following hours

• from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. (winter entrance hours)
• from 10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. (summer opening hours)

Closed on 1 January, 25 and 26 December.

How to reach Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Palazzo Contarini Bovolo can be easily reached either on foot or by waterbus. From the railway station the site can be reached by walking in about 25 minutes, first following the signs for Rialto and then following Calle Cavalli and Campiello de la Chiesa until you reach Campo Manin.

If you are travelling by vaporetto you can get off at the “Rialto C” stop (Line 2) if you are coming from Venice Santa Lucia Station or at the “Rialto A” stop (Line 1) if you are coming from Piazzale Roma. Once off the vaporetto just walk a few minutes towards Campo Manin.