Scala Contarini del Bovolo

Venice

LoginSave

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

  • Saint Mark's basilica (Basilica di San Marco) in Venice, Italy

    Basilica di San Marco

    0.25 MILES

    With a profusion of domes and more than 8000 sq metres of luminous mosaics, Venice's cathedral is unforgettable. It was founded in the 9th century to…

  • Feast in House of Levi by Paolo Caliari known as Veronese (1528-1588), 555x1280 cm, 1563

    Gallerie dell'Accademia

    0.4 MILES

    Venice's historic gallery traces the development of Venetian art from the 14th to 19th centuries, with works by all of the city's artistic superstars. The…

  • Awesome sunrise over Doges palace, Venice

    Palazzo Ducale

    0.29 MILES

    Holding pride of place on the waterfront, this pretty Gothic confection may be an unlikely setting for the political and administrative seat of a great…

  • The Jewish Ghetto in the Cannaregio district of Venice was instituted in 1516. Jews were permitted to leave the ghetto during the day to work, but they had to return at night. The gates were then locked and guarded by Christian watchmen whose salaries the Jews were required to pay. The Venetian ghetto was the first ghetto in the world and where the term 'ghetto' originated. 1189463641

    The Ghetto

    0.82 MILES

    In medieval times this part of Cannaregio housed a getto (foundry), but it was as the designated Jewish quarter from the 16th to 19th centuries that the…

  • Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute at Canal Grande, Venice, Italy

    Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

    0.29 MILES

    Baldassare Longhena's magnificent basilica is prominently positioned near the entrance to the Grand Canal, its white stones, exuberant statuary and high…

  • The white marble facade of Ca' Rezzonico on the Grand Canal in Venice. Italy

    Ca' Rezzonico

    0.41 MILES

    Baroque dreams come true at this Baldassare Longhena–designed Grand Canal palazzo (mansion), where a marble staircase leads to a vast gilded ballroom and…

  • VENICE, ITALY - AUGUST 17, 2014: High dynamic range (HDR) The Peggy Guggenheim collection in Venice Italy 561689470 italian, guggenheim, italy, dynamic, venice, editorial, peggy, range, collection, high, europe, museum, high dynamic range, peggy guggenheim, venedig, hdr, venezia, veneto, italia

    Peggy Guggenheim Collection

    0.31 MILES

    After losing her father on the Titanic, heiress Peggy Guggenheim became one of the great collectors of the 20th century. Her palatial canalside home,…

  • Jesus Before Caiaphas by Italian Artist Giotto di Bondone, fresco

    Cappella degli Scrovegni

    22.18 MILES

    Padua's version of the Sistine Chapel, the Cappella degli Scrovegni houses one of Italy's great Renaissance masterpieces – a striking cycle of Giotto…

View more 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"
}