Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo, Venice

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a small Venetian palace whose defining feature is the large spiral stair tower attached to its exterior. The staircase was added in 1499, and “bovolo” is Venetian dialect for “snail.” Giovanni Candi created the palace in its present form during the 15th century for the Contarini family; Giorgio Spavento is associated with the later stair addition.

Look at the round tower: its rising arches lead to loggias arranged over five levels, ending in a domed lookout with a broad city view. The building also became part of cinema history: Orson Welles used it as Brabantio’s house in his 1952 adaptation of Othello, with the staircase prominently visible. Restoration began in August 2015, and visitors have been able to enter since February 2016.