Just a few steps away Rialtocan be found la Scala Contarini del Bovolo.
It was once owned by the powerful patrician Contarini family of the San Paternian branch.
In the fourteenth century, it even had the honor of having given a doge to the Serenissima.
One of the family's descendants, Pietro Contarini, decorated his palace with this splendid staircase towards the end of the 15th century.
Let's take a closer look together!
Scala Contarini del Bovolo: article summary
What to expect on your visit to Scala del Bovolo.
Not only will you feel like you're stepping into Venice's history, but when you reach the panoramic terrace, you'll have a 360° view of the city (on a clear day), you can even see the Dolomites in the distance!).
Once you've reached the loggia on the second floor, you can visit the Tintoretto room, where some examples of Venetian figurative art are on display. between the 16th and 18th centuries. These include Tintoretto's sketch of Paradise, the canvas of which can be seen in the Doge's Palace.
This incredible construction is the work of Giovanni Candi, an architect and carpenter from the Veneto region, who built the spiral staircase made up of 80 monolithic steps screwed counterclockwise into a cylinder of walls 26 metres high.
The staircase is spread over four floors of brick and Istrian stone, and being pierced by arches, it appears unusually airy, with an undefined style that passes from Gothic, through Venetian, Byzantine and Renaissance memories, under the influence of the Tuscan artists who had arrived in Venice.
The history of the Contarini del Bovolo staircase
Let's take a closer look at Scala Contarini del Bovolo: what's the story behind it?
We've just told you that Pietro Contarini decorated his house with this cylindrical tower with its domed belvedere. It's hard not to make the comparison between theBovolo staircase and the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
Although an external staircase was not in itself a novelty of the period, it's the size and special atmosphere created by this monument, with its eclectic and graceful appearance, that makes it unique.
In the 19th century, the new owner, Arnaux marseillais, built the staircase and the building adjoining the inn "le Maltais". In 1849, it became the property of the Confrérie des Pauvres de Saint-Luc, and from there to the IRE, to whom we owe the recovery of the building. of the works exhibited in the Tintoretto room.
Today, the building inspires many people. In fact, Orsons Welles used the outside staircase as the setting for his Othello? A true Venice's hidden treasure that deserves to be found.
Scala Contarini del Bovolo: how much does a visit cost?
To visit the site, you need an entrance ticket. Fortunately, prices are not very high. You can expect to pay :
- 7 € per adult
- 6 € for ages 12 to 26 and over 65
Children under the age of 12 enjoy free admission.
What are the visiting hours?
Visiting times for the Scala del Bovolo are :
- 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission and ticket office closes at 5:30 p.m.).
It is open every day of the year, with a few exceptions:
- January 1st
- August 15
- November 1st
- December 25 and 26
Outside normal opening hours, it's worth keeping an eye on the evening events taking place on site. A unique opportunity to discover a fascinating place at sunset!
If you've got a bit of time on your hands, I recommend a visit to the Scala Contarini del Bovolo. This timeless and magical is sure to impress you throughout your visit.
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