World Famous Staircases
Although the primary function of a staircase is to bridge a vertical distance between two or more levels, that hasn’t stopped artists and architects from achieving beauty and innovation with this simple design. Many of the world’s famous historical landmarks feature staircases, from the grand, ornate spiral staircases of stately homes to ancient natural stone steps leading up to mountain peaks. Let’s take a look at some of the world’s most famous staircases.
Haiku Stairs, O‘ahu
The Haiku Stairs, also known as the Stairway to Heaven, are located on the island of O‘ahu, the third-largest of the Hawaiian Islands. Although this trail was closed to the public in the 1980s, that doesn’t stop the occasional determined hiker, although this is considered trespassing and could land you a $1000 fine. These steps, of which there are over 3,000, were built in 1942 and once provided pedestrian access to former U.S. Navy communication. Sadly, due to safety concerns and multiple reports of trespassing, the Haiku Stairs are set to be removed.
Mt Niesen, Switzerland
The stairs located on Mt Niesen of Bernese Alps in the Canton of Bern, Switzerland, hold the esteemed title of ‘world’s tallest staircase’. No less than 11,674 steps run alongside this 1.5-mile high mountain railway, proving a worthy challenge for seasoned hikers and mountain climbers worldwide, who can compete in a public run called "Niesenlauf" once a year. The record time for completing this ambitious run is 1 hour and 2 minutes for men and 1 hour and 9 minutes for women - definitely not for the faint of heart.
Bramante Staircase, Vatican City
The Bramante Staircase describes two staircases in the Vatican Museums in the Vatican City State, the original of which was commissioned by Pope Julius II and built in 1505 to link the Belvedere Palace to the streets of Rome. A modern equivalent was designed by Giuseppe Momo and built in 1932. This so-called Snail Staircase consists of two intertwined stairways and displays very similar features to the original, reminiscent of a double helix, the physical structure of DNA, which, interestingly, was not discovered until 1953.
Covent Garden Tube Station, London
London commuters all dread getting off the tube at Covent Garden Underground Station. The only way up to street level is via crowded lifts or a spiral staircase with 193 steps. This may not seem all that many, but when you consider 193 steps equivalent to a fifteen-storey building, it's easy to understand why many Londoners advise getting off at Leicester Square and walking the rest of the short distance to Covent Garden - particularly considering lifts are notorious for breaking down.
Umschreibung, Germany
Umschreibung, also known as the Endless Staircase, is located in the courtyard of an office building in the Schwanthalerhöhe district of Munich. This unique curved staircase design makes for a truly remarkable spectacle, as the interlocking double helix-style stairways create a continuous loop and, in fact, lead to nowhere at all. Designed by Danish artist Olafur Eliasson in 2016, this evocative sculpture is often described as “ominous” but remains a metaphor mostly left to individual interpretation.
Batu Caves, Malaysia
Batu Caves, a series of limestone caverns and cave temples in Peninsular Malaysia, is Malaysia's most sacred Hindu shrine. It attracts around 5,000 visitors a day, many of whom climb the impressive 272 colourful steps alongside the golden statue of Lord Murugan. The staircase design leading up to the Temple Cave was built in 1920 and is an important part of the pilgrimage experience. In 2018, the plain grey steps were painted in rainbow hues, which sparked mixed reviews from tourists and officials. Nonetheless, the staircase remains an integral feature of the Batu Caves site.
Musical Piano Stairs, Hangzhou
The charming Musical Piano Stairs in Wulin Plaza, Hangzhou (Zhejiang Province, China), were built to encourage more patrons to take the stairs rather than the escalators. As the same suggests, each step emits a relevant note, creating a fun musical experience for all ages. What started as a campaign to boost physical well-being resulted in a charming tourist attraction, attracting many visitors to the Wulin Plaza, which has established itself as a must-see location for travellers.