Sunday, November 25, 2012

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo

External spiral staircase by Giorgio Spavento, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, Venezia

External spiral staircase by Giorgio Spavento
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo
Calle Contarini del Bovolo, San Marco
Venezia, September 2012

“On the wall of the alley on the south side of Campo Manin, a sign directs you to the staircase known as the Scala del Bovolo – bovolo is the word for snail shell in Venetian dialect. External staircases, developed originally as a way of saving space inside the building, were a common feature of Venetian houses into the sixteenth century, but this specimen, dating from around 1500, is the most flamboyant variation on the theme.” (Jonathan Buckley, The Rough Guide to Venice & the Veneto)

4 comments:

Andy said...

This is a piece of art.

Changes in the wind said...

That is impressive...just glad I don't have to climb them.

cieldequimper said...

I am trying to imagine the swish of dresses...

tapirgal said...

Venice, of course. Beautiful!