Hunt down Calle Contarini del Bovolo, a hidden lane in the heart of San Marco. Squeeze through the alley to reach the palace and its famous snail-shaped spiral staircase.
Full description
Calle Contarini del Bovolo is the small passage that gives access to the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, a Venetian palace famous for its spiral outdoor staircase, the bovolo, which is Venetian for snail shell. The street itself is a quiet, tucked-away corner of the city that rewards those who go looking for it among the narrow alleys.
It is open at all hours and takes only a few minutes to see, making it an easy detour between the main sights. The staircase can also be visited on a separate ticket.
Calle Contarini del Bovolo is the small passage that gives access to the Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, a Venetian palace famous for its spiral outdoor staircase, the bovolo, which is Venetian for snail shell. The street itself is a quiet, tucked-away corner of the city that rewards those who go looking for it among the narrow alleys.
It is open at all hours and takes only a few minutes to see, making it an easy detour between the main sights. The staircase can also be visited on a separate ticket.
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Hours
Booking
Duration
15 min
Best time
early morning, morning, lunchtime or afternoon
Intensity
Easy pace
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