Scala Contarini del Bovolo

The Scala Contarini del Bovolo rises in a courtyard of the Contarini palace in Venice. Its external spiral tower combines brick, Istrian stone and open arcades in an addition commissioned by Pietro Contarini at the end of the fifteenth century.

Why it matters

The staircase gives a Renaissance architectural gesture to a late-Gothic residence. Its cylindrical form is joined to the palace by successive loggias, making circulation part of the building's public expression rather than concealing it within the walls.

What to notice

Eighty monolithic stone steps turn counterclockwise beneath repeated arches. The tower culminates in an open belvedere overlooking the surrounding roofs and bell towers. Fragments of floral fresco decoration recall the richer painted exterior of the historic palace.

Context and history

The staircase dates to 1499; its authorship has been attributed variously to Giovanni Candi and Giorgio Spavento. The palace later became a lodging house and acquired charitable uses after its donation to the Fraterna dei Poveri di San Luca in 1849. These changes gave the aristocratic residence a history extending well beyond its original household.