While staircases are considered as the fundamental means to move from one point in a building to another, they become incredibly interesting when appearance and form are made as important as the function. There are countless museums, shops, and other similar building all around the world that have interestingly designed staircases. We have managed to find a few most mind-boggling figures that are most likely to find intriguing and fascinating.
In today’s world, where everything is about technology, speedy cars and smartphones, there are a number of places around the world that attract travelers just for the sight of lavish staircases. The list below is not limited to the modern, contemporary designs.
On the contrary, we have included any sort of staircase that is accessible to public and is unbelievable in terms of its design and architecture. So the next time you go anywhere, just skip the elevator and use the stairs to get to the place you need to be. You never know, you might find something incredibly interesting!
1. Tiger & Turtle, Germany
On first glance, this staircase might appear like a roller coaster to you, but when you inspect this figure closely, you will discover an ingenious staircase. This incredible figure is stretched via all sorts of curves. Ulrich Genth and Heike Mutter, two of the most popular German artists, are responsible for this mind blowing sculpture.
This staircase was unveiled for the very first time in 2011. The visitors are allowed to explore the structure containing 249 steps. You can visit it at any time during the day and night. The unusual staircase is decorated with LED lights that present a spectacular picture at night. Don’t try to climb around the entire loop, since it is closed by barrier!
2. Lello Bookshop, Portugal
Initiated in 1906, Lello is an incredibly beautiful bookstore. Thanks to its centerpiece – the sleek red staircase, the place looks gorgeous. The staircase contains wooden banisters that are carved skillfully and lead straight up to the atrium made of glass. The view these stairs create is as lovely from underneath as it is from top. It features blue-green and golden paint at the ceiling and carved leaf-like flourishes.
3. Umschreibung, Munich
Sure, there are lots of great things to do in a city like Munich, but why not stop and see something most people ignore.
This beautifully constructed staircase carries a height of approximately thirty feet. Its double-helix structure keeps visitors coming back. The backdrop is an orange vertical office tower mostly made of glass. This staircase does not lead anywhere and not open for the public to climb, but don’t let silly things like “The Law” slow you down.
4. Chand Baori, India
This considerably small village located outside Jaipur has a huge number of step wells known as baoris. These wells were constructed in order to collect rainwater. Chand Baori is regarded as the largest and the deepest of these wells. It contains 3,500 steps and 13 stories. Although you can see down all thirteen flights, this staircase is no more used as a well. In fact, the bottom stories are closed off. This step well or staircase is located near the Harshat Mata Temple. Its history dates back to the 19th century.
Another step well worth visiting in India is Rani ki Vav in Patan. It is also filled with amazing carvings, historic scenery and it has a great story behind it too.
[See more pics of the Chand Baori]
5. “Stairway to Heaven,” WA
Are you afraid of heights? If your answer is yes, this staircase is definitely not for you. The 82-feet-high staircase starts at the fir tree base and spirals round into the sky. When climbers reach the top of the staircase, they face the incredible challenge of passing the rainbow-colored suspension bridge stretched forty-three feet throughout the forest.
This incredibly gracious staircase provides you with the only path that leads you to the Tree house Observatory, which offers expansive views of the Nisqually Valley and Mount Rainier. A guided tour will cost you approximately $40 per person. You can also stay at the Cedar Creek Treehouse for one night that will cost you approximately $300.
6. 16th Avenue Mosaic Staircase, San Francisco
This spectacular staircase features 163 mosaic panels. Each step contains a mosaic panel. This staircase is located at the 16th Avenue, San Francisco. The very first mosaic panel depicts an ocean. Once you climb the entire staircase and reach the very top, you will notice that the mosaic at the top-most stairs depicts the sky.
These thematic mosaic stairs were designed by Colette Crutcher and Aileen Barr with the aid of community members. The staircase was complete in late 2005 after numerous years of fundraising and hard work.
7. Tulip Stairs, England
The very first self-supporting, coiled staircase in England is featured in the Queen’s house in Greenwich. These stairs were constructed back in 1616. The elegant and intricate flowers appearing on the wrought-iron railing are why the staircase is called the Tulip Stairs.
8. The Gray, Milan
The Gray boutique hotel situated in central Milan is an attraction for tourists because of the amazing staircases it features. Guido Ciompi, a Florentine architect, came up with an idea of these distinctive stairs for every room and suite. The rambling duplex suites connected by these floating stairs present the most spectacular picture.
Each step of these staircases greatly resembles a hollowed box. Suspended beds, animal printed fabrics, wenge wood floors, and ebony furniture are some of the highlights of this hotel.
9. Museum of Islamic Art, Qatar
This museum was initiated in 2008. It is located on a man-made island in Doha. Approximately 4,500 Islamic art pieces are housed by this building. The grand double staircase is the biggest attraction attracting people from all around the world. The steps cutting into the underside of the staircase create an illusion of an upturned staircase, which is in fact its most unique feature.
10. Melk Abbey Staircase, Austria
The mazelike Benedictine abbey is full of architectural wonders. The rococo-style spiral stairs are incredibly t watch and climb. These are best viewed from underneath. The underside of the staircase painted pink and gold is spectacular. Although these stairs lead to the rooms in the library, the public is not allowed to use them.
Harris Harper is a professional writer and has written articles on architecture, framework and steel stairs. Recently he is writing about the fascinating world of stairs, ladders and other tools of ascension.
I love the 2nd one. I have a thing for bookcases.
These were utterly fabulous. Have you yourself climbed everyone?
yesssssssss………sure we have…..you don’t think we would write an article just to get pageviews, do you?