| Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo tips and photos posted by real travelers and Venice locals.
Corte Contarini del Bovolo, San Marco
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 by Mahieu
I don't know why, but the majority of tourists don't seem to come here, so the peace and calm add to the fact that you really can't miss this little jewel. Leave a Comment Directions: From Campo Manin follow yellow arrows down Calle della Mandola
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 Scala Contarini del
Bovolo - Venice by BarbaraForza
I've been told that at the time it was built, it wasn't allowed to build towers, so it was presented as "stairs" only...on the top there is a great view over Venice roofs. Leave a Comment Directions: From Campo Manin follow yellow arrows down Calle della Mandola
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The nice palace Contarini Minelli dal Bovolo is famous for its winding-stairs, the scala del bovolo. It was built in 1499 on by Giovanni Candi and Its name is derived from the venetian word for a snail-shell, bovolo. Even the branch of the Contarini that inhabited the palace was named after that singular architectural solution.
In the main building you can see the half arches of fourth order, which are visible at the stairway corridors.
The main facade with five-light loggias of fifth order on thin columns is towards the Rio di San Luca.
Numerous "vere di pozzo" (well-heads) from the 13th to 15th century are collected at the stairway base and clearly show the development of this essential part of a venetian palace. At least one of them has the Contarini coat of arms. Leave a Comment Directions: From Campo Manin follow yellow arrows down Calle della Mandola
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SAN MARCO
I wasn't sure whether this should have gone in my off the beaten track tips, as it took me quite a while to find- and when I did, it was closed for restoration work. Not sure if this is completed yet.
Well, the time trying to find it was worth it, as I came across plenty of campos and shops that I might have missed otherwise.
Off Campo Manin, and following the yellow signs, I came into a small courtyard, and there was this elusive tower with its' external staircase. These were a feature of Venetian houses in the 16th century - designed to save space in the internal rooms.
This tower is dated around 1499, and is quite a flamboyant example of arches and loggias, resembling an ornate 5 storey helter skelter. It was the work of Giovanni Candi.
The owner Pietro Contarini, had enlarged his palace, with a loggia on leach floor. The staircase, made of red brick and Istrian stone, links these together, in an attractive and practical way. It is thought to resemble the tower of Pisa.
These staircases are known as scale a chicciola (snail stairs)
Bovolo means snail shell in the Venetian dialect.
At the foot of the tower is a fenced off garden, containing well heads, dating back to medieval times. Apparently this is a popular place for the local moggies to congregate. I spotted the healthy well fed specimen (in my photo below), napping on a window sill.
I'm not sure when the tower will be open again - according to my guide book, the view from the top isn't extensive- (for a better view of Venice and beyond, the Camponille is the place to head for - though you can't see any canals!) but gives an interesting local outlook.
Even better than the campanile in P. San Marco, catch the vaporetto from San Marco to Isola St Giorgio Maggiore, and view from this churches tower-half the price, less crowded, and views for miles around.
Normally open April - Oct daily 10.00 - 18.00 Nov - March Sat- Sun 10.00 - 16.00
Admission 3 euros Leave a Comment Phone: 041 270 2464Directions: VAPORETTO - RIALTO From Campo Manin follow yellow arrows down Calle della Mandola
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Scala Contarini del Bovolo is a real treasure, hidden at the interior of a small courtyard, situaded in the heart of Venice. It is a splendid winding staircase, adorning the side of Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, a short walk from Campo Manin. Scala del Bovolo owes its name to the Italian word "bovolo", meaning "snail shell".It was built in 1499 and represents Early Renaissance with Gothic-Byzantine building techniques. The line of the staircase is followed by a parapet, fascinatingly mixing little columns and arcades and giving the tourist the satisfaction of seeing such a unique Venetian monument. Leave a Comment Directions: Qiute easy to reach from Rialto Bridge
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The most unique of Venice's palazzi, the 15th century Palazzo Contarini is tucked away in a little alley that is hard to find. You need an excellent map to be able to reach it. What makes this palazzo unique is its spiral arched staircase. I only saw the palazzo at night from the exterior, but visitors are permitted to climb up the staircase for scenic views of Venice's rooftops. Directions: From Campo Manin follow yellow arrows down Calle della Mandola
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 Palazzo Contarini del
Bovolo, Venice by Helga67
In order to get here, you must follow the yellow arrows from Manin square, down the Calle della Mandola. En route, you will be able to experience at first hand, the peculiarities of Venetian dimensions: the calles which lead you here are so narrow, two people cannot go down them side by side. Leave a Comment Directions: San Marco district Vaporetto stop 'Sant'Angelo'
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 by Imbi
In order to get here, you must follow the yellow arrows from Manin square, down the Calle della Mandola. En route, you will be able to experience at first hand, the peculiarities of Venetian dimensions: the calles which lead you here are so narrow, two people cannot go down them side by side. Leave a Comment
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Near Campo San Bortolo, this is one of Venices most unusual and beautiful sites. Directions: From Campo Manin follow yellow arrows down Calle della Mandola
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 Anyone Up For A Walk? by SFHulaGIrlLeave a Comment Directions: From Campo Manin follow yellow arrows down Calle della Mandola
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