All places on the map· Venice

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

Sight4.5 · 14 3524.4 · 1 622≈ 45 minEntry: ~9 €264 m from the center

Hidden in a quiet courtyard near Campo Manin, this Venetian Gothic palazzo is celebrated for its extraordinary external multi-tiered spiral staircase. Commissioned in the late 15th century by Pietro Contarini, the cylindrical brick tower features open arcades resembling a snail shell, or 'bovolo' in Venetian dialect. Climbing the spiraling steps leads to an open-air belvedere with a breathtaking 360-degree panorama of Venice.

Highlights

  • Extraordinary 15th-century external spiral staircase shaped like a snail shell
  • Harmonious blend of Venetian Gothic, Renaissance, and Byzantine architecture
  • Rooftop belvedere offering spectacular panoramic views of Venice's bell towers

Opening hours

Mon10:00 – 18:00
Tue10:00 – 18:00
Wed10:00 – 18:00
Thu10:00 – 18:00
Fri10:00 – 18:00
Sat10:00 – 18:00
Sun10:00 – 18:00

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