The Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo (also called the Palazzo Contarini Minelli dal Bovolo) is a small palazzo in Venice, Italy, best known for its external multi-arch spiral staircase known as the Scala Contarini del Bovolo (literally, "of the snail").
The palazzo is located in a small, less-travelled calle (street) near Campo Manin, about half-way between Campo San Bartolo, at the foot of the Rialto, and Campo Santo Stefano.
This place is a hidden gem! It's not too well known to most tourists, but provides a great view from the top floor. For history buffs interested in the original aristocratic families of Venice, this place provides a glimpse into how one family showed their wealth back in the early days of Venice.
Linda LyMar 4, 2018
Can pay €3 more to go on taller towers with better views. The audio guide was not very useful and listening to it used valuable time for me, when I could have gone to other parts of the city as I was on a day trip. It does offer some nice views of the red rooftops and other city landmarks but it requires you to climb 5 flights of stairs, so it is not for everyone. You can view my 360 picture for a better idea
Harshan LalDec 9, 2017
Great place . Couldn't find it in 2015. Looked for 2 hours this year. Most locals didn't know it. Used Google to find, but was in totally wrong location on Google maps. I corrected Google maps location, but had a laugh at some of the other tourists comments when they finally found it WITHOUT Google 's help.
Mary LawrenceFeb 19, 2018
Great place to visit not crowded by venetian standards - great views from the top - clever architecture that fools the eye - art exhibition small but interesting
Mary HowarthJan 31, 2018
Found out that Google Map doesn't work that well in Italy. Took us sometime to find it, as the Google Map was wrong. Filed the edit, hope they have changed it now. It's not a fancy building. A little off the beaten track. But the spiral staircase was really unique. We enjoyed it very much. At the top you can have nice view of Venice. 7 Euros for entrance.
Irene TangSep 2, 2017
Exceptional architecture for outside stairs. Many people come but also most of them seem to be too fat or too afraid of stairs, so you can enjoy the stairs in peace. Also, you have a nice view from up there.
Christoph NMar 29, 2018
Climb the gorgeous spiral staircase and you will be rewarded with amazing views of the rooftops and bell towers of Venice. The small art exhibition has a few interesting pieces worth seeing as well.
cariburkhardtMar 8, 2018
Hidden jewel. Less people than on the other well known places. Good view on the city. I definitely recommend it for visiting.
Arnold BalintMay 16, 2018
We stopped at the Palazzo on a legends of Venice walking tour and learned about the Ghostky Woman in White. In addition to being beautiful, this place and a unique and interesting history!
Dustin ZieglerJul 6, 2018
Beautiful place, hidden to crowds. Spectacular view over the roofs of Venice. Entrance fee 7 eur.
Kateřina StróžikováJun 14, 2018
Building looks amazing. Only seen it at night on a tour because it a little difficult to find. Will have to come back when I am in Venice.
scott newmanMay 31, 2018
Beautiful and well worth the climb. Some amazing portraits and paintings also.
Julia EbarbJul 8, 2018
Beautiful hidden Venetian gem. If you love spiral staircases like I do, then this is a must visit. Also it was pretty quiet in peak season which is a huge plus.
Calebe Geazi MacielAug 3, 2018
It has beautiful architecture. And the story surrounding it is interesting. Its not easily visible as this is in a very small lane. Our guide showed it to us else we would have missed it.
Pratyusha ChillarigeJul 29, 2018
We didn’t get a chance to go and I imagine it would’ve been pretty cool on the inside but it was a great flyby on the outside and really worth the walk just to check it out
Mike ThuringerAug 2, 2018
This place is a hidden gem! It's not too well known to most tourists, but provides a great view from the top floor. For history buffs interested in the original aristocratic families of Venice, this place provides a glimpse into how one family showed their wealth back in the early days of Venice.
Linda LyMar 4, 2018
Can pay €3 more to go on taller towers with better views. The audio guide was not very useful and listening to it used valuable time for me, when I could have gone to other parts of the city as I was on a day trip. It does offer some nice views of the red rooftops and other city landmarks but it requires you to climb 5 flights of stairs, so it is not for everyone. You can view my 360 picture for a better idea
Harshan LalDec 9, 2017
Great place . Couldn't find it in 2015. Looked for 2 hours this year. Most locals didn't know it. Used Google to find, but was in totally wrong location on Google maps. I corrected Google maps location, but had a laugh at some of the other tourists comments when they finally found it WITHOUT Google 's help.
Mary LawrenceFeb 19, 2018
Great place to visit not crowded by venetian standards - great views from the top - clever architecture that fools the eye - art exhibition small but interesting
Mary HowarthJan 31, 2018
Found out that Google Map doesn't work that well in Italy. Took us sometime to find it, as the Google Map was wrong. Filed the edit, hope they have changed it now. It's not a fancy building. A little off the beaten track. But the spiral staircase was really unique. We enjoyed it very much. At the top you can have nice view of Venice. 7 Euros for entrance.
Irene TangSep 2, 2017
Exceptional architecture for outside stairs. Many people come but also most of them seem to be too fat or too afraid of stairs, so you can enjoy the stairs in peace. Also, you have a nice view from up there.
Christoph NMar 29, 2018
Climb the gorgeous spiral staircase and you will be rewarded with amazing views of the rooftops and bell towers of Venice. The small art exhibition has a few interesting pieces worth seeing as well.
cariburkhardtMar 8, 2018
Hidden jewel. Less people than on the other well known places. Good view on the city. I definitely recommend it for visiting.
Arnold BalintMay 16, 2018
We stopped at the Palazzo on a legends of Venice walking tour and learned about the Ghostky Woman in White. In addition to being beautiful, this place and a unique and interesting history!
Dustin ZieglerJul 6, 2018
Beautiful place, hidden to crowds. Spectacular view over the roofs of Venice. Entrance fee 7 eur.
Kateřina StróžikováJun 14, 2018
Building looks amazing. Only seen it at night on a tour because it a little difficult to find. Will have to come back when I am in Venice.
scott newmanMay 31, 2018
Beautiful and well worth the climb. Some amazing portraits and paintings also.
Julia EbarbJul 8, 2018
Beautiful hidden Venetian gem. If you love spiral staircases like I do, then this is a must visit. Also it was pretty quiet in peak season which is a huge plus.
Calebe Geazi MacielAug 3, 2018
It has beautiful architecture. And the story surrounding it is interesting. Its not easily visible as this is in a very small lane. Our guide showed it to us else we would have missed it.
Pratyusha ChillarigeJul 29, 2018
We didn’t get a chance to go and I imagine it would’ve been pretty cool on the inside but it was a great flyby on the outside and really worth the walk just to check it out
Mike ThuringerAug 2, 2018
This place is a hidden gem! It's not too well known to most tourists, but provides a great view from the top floor. For history buffs interested in the original aristocratic families of Venice, this place provides a glimpse into how one family showed their wealth back in the early days of Venice.
Linda LyMar 4, 2018
Can pay €3 more to go on taller towers with better views. The audio guide was not very useful and listening to it used valuable time for me, when I could have gone to other parts of the city as I was on a day trip. It does offer some nice views of the red rooftops and other city landmarks but it requires you to climb 5 flights of stairs, so it is not for everyone. You can view my 360 picture for a better idea
Harshan LalDec 9, 2017
Great place . Couldn't find it in 2015. Looked for 2 hours this year. Most locals didn't know it. Used Google to find, but was in totally wrong location on Google maps. I corrected Google maps location, but had a laugh at some of the other tourists comments when they finally found it WITHOUT Google 's help.
Mary LawrenceFeb 19, 2018
Great place to visit not crowded by venetian standards - great views from the top - clever architecture that fools the eye - art exhibition small but interesting
Mary HowarthJan 31, 2018
Found out that Google Map doesn't work that well in Italy. Took us sometime to find it, as the Google Map was wrong. Filed the edit, hope they have changed it now. It's not a fancy building. A little off the beaten track. But the spiral staircase was really unique. We enjoyed it very much. At the top you can have nice view of Venice. 7 Euros for entrance.
Irene TangSep 2, 2017
Exceptional architecture for outside stairs. Many people come but also most of them seem to be too fat or too afraid of stairs, so you can enjoy the stairs in peace. Also, you have a nice view from up there.
Christoph NMar 29, 2018
Climb the gorgeous spiral staircase and you will be rewarded with amazing views of the rooftops and bell towers of Venice. The small art exhibition has a few interesting pieces worth seeing as well.
cariburkhardtMar 8, 2018
Hidden jewel. Less people than on the other well known places. Good view on the city. I definitely recommend it for visiting.
Arnold BalintMay 16, 2018
We stopped at the Palazzo on a legends of Venice walking tour and learned about the Ghostky Woman in White. In addition to being beautiful, this place and a unique and interesting history!
Dustin ZieglerJul 6, 2018
Beautiful place, hidden to crowds. Spectacular view over the roofs of Venice. Entrance fee 7 eur.
Kateřina StróžikováJun 14, 2018
Building looks amazing. Only seen it at night on a tour because it a little difficult to find. Will have to come back when I am in Venice.
scott newmanMay 31, 2018
Beautiful and well worth the climb. Some amazing portraits and paintings also.
Julia EbarbJul 8, 2018
Beautiful hidden Venetian gem. If you love spiral staircases like I do, then this is a must visit. Also it was pretty quiet in peak season which is a huge plus.
Calebe Geazi MacielAug 3, 2018
It has beautiful architecture. And the story surrounding it is interesting. Its not easily visible as this is in a very small lane. Our guide showed it to us else we would have missed it.
Pratyusha ChillarigeJul 29, 2018
We didn’t get a chance to go and I imagine it would’ve been pretty cool on the inside but it was a great flyby on the outside and really worth the walk just to check it out
Mike ThuringerAug 2, 2018
Monday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Tuesday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Wednesday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Thursday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Friday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Saturday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
Sunday | 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM |
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