Spiral staircase reaching for the sky that’s what makes the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo unique. It’s a hidden gem not far from St Mark’s Square. But many miss it. It is tucked away on a small side street. The Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo has a rich history. Its staircase has appeared in a movie. It is featured in a painting. It once housed an astronomer.
Let’s step back to the late 14th century. The Contarini family wanted a residence. They were one of Venice’s founding families. Giovanni Candi designed the Palazzo. In 1499, Pietro Contarini added the stunning spiral staircase. Locals called it “Bovolo”. This means “of the snail” in Venetian. The name comes from the staircase’s shape. From then on, it became the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo.
Now picture Ernst Wilhelm Tempel. It’s the 19th century. He is a German astronomer. He made his observations from the palace tower. In 1859, he discovered a comet. He also found the Merope Nebula of the Pleiades.
Orson Welles also chose this spot. In 1952, he filmed “Othello” here. The Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo became Brabantio’s house in the movie. The staircase is featured. Welles captured its beauty.
The Scala Contarini del Bovolo combines different styles. It blends Renaissance, Gothic and Venetian-Byzantine elements. The staircase seems to lead to the sky. There are open loggias and arcades. Climb to the top. You get views of Venice’s rooftops. You can even see the Campanile of San Marco. But you cannot see the Grand Canal.
The spiral staircase is 26 meters high. There are 113 steps to the top. The palace has six floors. It is made of red brick. It opened to the public in 2016. On the second floor, you can see a Tintoretto painting. It is a sketch for “Paradise”. It is different from the versions in Paris and Madrid.
The Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo stands as a testament to Venice’s rich history. It has art and architecture. It has tales of astronomers and filmmakers. It remains a captivating destination. A reminder of Venice’s hidden beauty.