Scala Contarini del Bovolo (Snail staircase) Palazzo Contarini.

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While researching for my trip to Venice I came across this remarkable palace. The Palace belonged to the family Contarini. Work on the palace started in the 1400's. It was kept in the family for many years and one of the inhabitants became Doge of Venice. The family were very well off and were merchants. Many merchants built grand palaces to live in. The story goes that the Merchant had given instructions to the builders to renovate the palace while he was away. Apparently he returned unexpectedly an demanded that a staircase be built. However the architect was unable to put in a staircase without causing much work and renovation to the palace. He came up with the idea of putting the staircase on the outside of the building which meant that the inside remained intact. The merchant eventually returned from his overseas trip to find the palace renovations were complete. Fortunately he fell in love with the external staircase and remarked it looked like a snails shell. Hence it becoming known as the Scala Contarini Del Bovolo. The Snail staircase. To find this palace is quite difficult. It is poorly advertised and directions are not that clear. It is just off the piazza Manin down a little alleyway. Along the alleyway there is an even smaller alleyway which leads to the back of the palace where you can see the staircase. It is a magnificent and unusual design. Unfortunately when I visited the palace was being repaired and was closed to the public but we were able to slip into the back alleyway to look at this building.