Thing to do
Rialto Market
Venice's historic food market beside the Rialto Bridge, with a fish market under the Pescheria loggia and fruit and vegetable stalls in the surrounding squares.
Scala Contarini del Bovolo
A late Gothic palace courtyard near Campo Manin with an external spiral staircase of arches, climbed for a rooftop view over San Marco.
At a glance
- Type
- Spiral staircase and rooftop viewpoint
- Area
- San Marco, Venice, Italy
- Official site
- gioiellinascostidivenezia.it
Good to know
- Rooftop view
- Online tickets
Why we recommend it
The Scala Contarini del Bovolo is one of the most unusual pieces of architecture in Venice: an external spiral staircase wrapped in tiers of arches, rising up the side of a palace in a small courtyard near Campo Manin. Bovolo means snail shell or spiral in Venetian dialect, which explains both the nickname and the shape. The staircase belongs to Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, built in its present form in the fifteenth century for a branch of the Contarini family, one of the great patrician dynasties of the Republic.
The palace is attributed to Giovanni Candi, and the staircase was probably added around 1499; some sources credit it to Giorgio Spavento. It combines Renaissance arches with a structure that recalls a medieval tower, and its slender columns and white stone make it a favourite subject for photographers. The complex is now managed by a Venetian foundation as part of its Hidden Jewels of Venice network. After restoration work it has been open to visitors since 2016. Orson Welles used the palace as a location for his 1952 film Othello.
The visit is simple: you climb the spiral to a loggia at the top, from where the view stretches across the rooftops of San Marco to the domes of the basilica and the campanile. It is one of the few rooftop viewpoints right in the centre of the city, and it is far less crowded than the campanile. Tickets are sold online through the official site's ticketing partner, and booking ahead is sensible at busy times of year.
Allow 30 to 45 minutes. The climb is short but involves steps, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users, and the loggia at the top is narrow. It suits photographers, architecture lovers and anyone looking for a quieter alternative to the big viewpoints. Late afternoon light makes the white stone glow. Check the official site for opening times, as they can change with the season.
The courtyard is tucked down a narrow alley signposted from Campo Manin, about five minutes' walk from both the Rialto Bridge and St Mark's Square. The nearest vaporetto stops are Rialto and Sant'Angelo on Line 1, and Teatro La Fenice is also close by.
Scala Contarini del Bovolo FAQs
What is the Scala Contarini del Bovolo?
It is an external spiral staircase of stone arches on a fifteenth-century Venetian palace, with a viewpoint at the top.
How do I buy tickets?
Tickets are sold online through the official site's ticketing partner.
Is there a lift?
No. The visit involves climbing the spiral staircase, so it is not suitable for wheelchair users.
How long does a visit take?
Around 30 to 45 minutes.
What can you see from the top?
The rooftops of San Marco, with the domes of St Mark's Basilica and the campanile.
Where is it?
In Corte Contarini del Bovolo, San Marco 4303, down a narrow alley signposted from Campo Manin.
How can I contact the site?
Call +39 041 3096605 or email [email protected].