Bovolo Staircase

Tucked away down a side street not far from the Grand Canal, the Contarini del Bovolo palace is worth a detour if only to marvel at the magnificent spiral staircase that curls up the front of the building. Added to the original building in 1499, the famous staircase was designed by Giorgio Spavento and features a dramatic series of arches, spiraling around an imposing stone-brick tower – a striking effect that appears inspired by the coils of a snail’s shell.
The iconic stairs were immortalized on-screen in Orson Welles’ 1952 adaptation of Shakespeare’s Othello, and have since become a popular tourist attraction, offering expansive views from the rooftop belvedere and making a unique photo opportunity. 

Practical Info

The Bovolo Staircase is located at the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo in the San Marco district of Venice and is open weekdays from 9am-6pm and Saturdays from 9am-2pm. The stairs are not open to the public due to renovations at the time of writing, but can still be viewed from the street.