Photo Hunt - Twisted

This week's Photo Hunt theme is "twisted".  once again I traveled back to Italy for the inspiration for this week's theme. Venice to be precise and the lovely palazzo Scala contarini del Bovolo. This wonderful, and unusual, outdoor spiral staircase seemed to call out for this theme!

The Scala Contarini del Bovolo (also called Palazzo Contarini Minelli dal Bovolo) is a small palace in Venice. It is hidden away in an obscure little alley known as the Calle della Vida, near the Campo Manin, and was the palace of Contarini family.

The original structure was designed by Giovanni Candi in 1499. The main attraction of this palace is an elegant spiral staircase with a plethora of arches.

The family hired a second architect, Giorgio Spavento, to add the staircase to the original structure. The spiral is often compared to the snail’s shell (bovolo) and hence the palace got its name as “snail house”.

There are two small courtyards and several wellheads at the base of the tower.
Many of the wellheads belong to previous structures and are far older than the palace although one bears the Contarini family coat-of-arms and was probably added at the time of the palace’s construction.

Architectural elements of the first Renaissance merge to the building techniques Gothic-Byzantine, producing a harmony of forms, with a typical Venetian character, in a monument that is unique in its type.
From the dome of the belvedere it is possible to get a splendid and unusual panoramic view of Venice: the roofs, the bell towers, the domes of Saint Mark. It is, no doubt, a privileged observation point over the city

Lots of the slow travel  community members also photo hunt when they aren't traveling. You can find their posts by clicking the links below. 

• Old Shoes, New Trip
• Eden's Wanderings and Wonderings
• My Place in the Sun
• Churches in Venice – Mosaics, Marble, and Miracle-Working Madonnas
• Palmabella's Passions
• What I Really Think
• shave Ice and Gelato
• Jerry's Thoughts, Musings, and Rants!
• Keep your Feet in the Street
• Baked Alaska
• That's my story...and I'm stickin' to it!
• Postcards from the Trail
• Cooking at the Whistlestop Cafe
• Candi's Corner
• Trekcapri's Blog
• Destination Anywhere

Comments

[Kathy (Trekcapri)]

Hi Jerry, beautiful spiral staircase and a great choice for this week's theme. I also enjoyed learning more about this wonderful building.

Have a wonderful weekend!

[Susanne]

Such beautiful architecture! And great shot for the theme.

[mariposa]

Beautiful staircase! Well done.

Mariposa's PhotoHunt!

[Mrs. Mecomber]

What an exquisite staircase. Just stunning!

I hope you get the chance to see My Photo Hunt for today! Have a great weekend.

[Marta]

Yeah! I was hoping to see a picture of this staircase. It is one of my favorites and your picture is excellent. We stayed at an apartment right across from it. I loved looking out on it in the morning.

[Kayte]

Gorgeous!

[girasoli]

I also stayed right by the Scala contarini del Bovolo. Great views from the top and a fun climb. I love your photo! Great take on the theme this week.

[kim]

This is breath taking!

[Anne]

Fantastic photo, love the colour of the buildings. We had hoped to climb it when we took the girls over a couple years ago, but it was closed for renovations :(

[Annie]

Awesome photo of this amazing building! I climbed it on my second trip to Venice and have gone back numerous times but haven't found it open for climbing again. You are right, the views from the top are wonderful.

[María I.]

Fabulous photo! I have yet to see this tower but it's on my list for next time.

[nancyhol]

I love your twisted photo! So beautiful.

[JDeQ]

Thanks for visiting on photo hunt Saturday. I could ahve just posted a self-portrait for twisted but this was easier. LOL

I am envious of those who have stayed in this neighbourhood - it was lovely there!