Scala Contarini del Bovolo

Venice


Under the Republic, only the Church and state were permitted to erect towers, as the structures could conceivably be used for military purposes. In around 1400 the Contarini family, eager to show off their wealth and power, cheekily built this non-tower instead. Combining Venetian Gothic, Byzantine and Renaissance elements, this romantic 'staircase' looks even higher than its 26m due to the simple trick of decreasing the height of the arches as it rises.

There's a wonderful view from the belvedere at the top, gazing over the rooftops to San Marco. Admission includes entry to the Tintoretto Room gallery on the second landing.

Transportation

  • ferry: Sant'Angelo

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Venice attractions

1. La Fenice

0.09 MILES

Once its dominion over the high seas ended, Venice discovered the power of the high Cs, opening La Fenice in 1792. Rossini, Donizetti and Bellini staged…

2. Museo Fortuny

0.12 MILES

Find design inspiration at the palatial home studio of art nouveau designer Mariano Fortuny y Madrazo (1871–1949), whose uncorseted Delphi-goddess frocks…

3. Chiesa di San Moisè

0.14 MILES

Flourishes of carved stone like icing across the 1660s facade of this church, dedicated to Moses, make it appear positively lickable, although 19th…

4. Museo Correr

0.15 MILES

Napoleon pulled down an ancient church to build his royal digs over Piazza San Marco, and then filled them with the riches of the doges while taking some…

5. Negozio Olivetti

0.15 MILES

Like a revolver pulled from a petticoat, ultramodern Negozio Olivetti was an outright provocation when it first appeared under the frilly arcades of the…

6. Chiesa di San Salvador

0.16 MILES

A dream made real, San Salvador was conceived in the 7th century when Jesus appeared to a sleeping Bishop Magnus and pointed out on a lagoon map the exact…

7. Chiesa di Santa Maria del Giglio

0.17 MILES

Founded in the 9th century but almost completely rebuilt in the late 17th century, this church is distinguished by a series of six relief maps on its…

8. Galleria Caterina Tognon

0.18 MILES

Hidden behind busy Via XXII Marzo, this gallery is worth seeking out for its interesting shows by internationally renowned artists, who mainly work in…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting:
    {
      "url": "italy/venice/sestiere-di-san-marco/attractions/scala-contarini-del-bovolo/a/poi-sig/400351/1320995",
      "destination": "Venice",
      "continent": "Europe",
      "country": "Italy",
      "city": "Venice",
      "position": "superzone"
    }