Explore the Scala Contarini del Bovolo in Venice: history and visitor guide

Photo of Scala Contarini del Bovolo, Venice

Visit Scala Contarini del Bovolo, Venice

The Scala Contarini del Bovolo is a historic monument in the San Marco district of Venice, rather hidden away close to Campo Manin. Note: the word Bovolo in the name refers to the cyclindrical shape of the staircase attached to the palace.

Discover the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo in Venice

Italy This Way review: the Palazzo and Scala Contarini del Bovolo is not the most interesting monument in Venice - there is a lot of competition - but if it is not your first visit to Venice and you have an hour to spare (half an hour to find the palace and half an hour to visit!) it is an interesting monument to visit for an alternative view across the city

The palace was built in the 14th century, and the tower with staircase was added at the end of the 15th century, after the palace had been bought by the Contarini family.

The Scala Contarini is a tall palazzo with a row of three external arches in the renaissance style at each level, which is connected to a circular tower that also has arches. All of the arches are supported by round columns except those at the ground level which are supported by square columns.

The column is 26 metres high and built of Istrian stone, with the staircase built of red bricks and stone arches. At the top of the tower there is a belvedere, also built in Istrian stone, with views across Venice.

An interesting feature of the tower and palazzo is that the rows of arches become progressively less tall as you rise up the tower - this has the impact of making the tower seem taller than it really is, when seen from the square below.

By the 19th century the tower was in a poor condition and extensive renovations were carried out, including iron supports for the stairs that had becoe weakened, and a brick surround to protect the central column.

Unfortunately the iron became rusty and the bricks also had problems so the efforts of this renovation were removed, and a more complete and accurate restoration was carried out towards the end of the 20th century. After being closed for many years, the tower is now again open to visitors.

From the belvedere at the top of the Scala Contorini you have a view across the rooftops of Venice, incuding the Campanile in Saint Marks Square (the tower with the best views of Venice), and the basilica of San Giovanni e Paolo. The dome of the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute and the tower of the church of Saint Stefano can also be seen.

A ticket to enter the staircase is seven euros, which I think is very expensive just to climb the tower and see the views. The rooms of the adjacent palace are not open to the public (apart from occasional exhibitions in one or two of the rooms) so your ticket is simply to climb the staircase and enjoy the views from the belvedere.