amazing staircases around the world

This spectacular handrail designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932 is a masterpiece of the Vatican Museums in Italy. It is unlikely that when commissioning it the Vatican expected the Simonetti Staircase to become one of the most photographed pieces in the museums but it did! Made up of two wrought iron stairways (one going up and one coming down) that curve in a double helix, the Momo Staircase, as it is also known, was once used by all visitors to the museums on their way in but the entrance has been moved so it is no longer on the route. Be sure to stop and admire it on your way out.

Get ready to climb if youre visiting the Portuguese sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga, as its monumental Baroque staircase is one of its best features, climbing 116 metres. The glorious ornamental stairway of granite and white plaster was commissioned by Bragas vertically challenged archbishop in 1723 and took 60 years to complete. Although there is no reason for its presence, the staircase remains the object of devoted pilgrimage and many penitents climb up on their knees.

The most prominent interior features of the New York State Capitol building are its three major staircases, which were lavishly carved in a variety of stone. The Million Dollar Staircase, officially named the Great Western Staircase, took 14 years to construct, from 1883 to 1897. As you may have guessed by its name, the staircase cost more than one million dollars. It was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson and built by Isaac Perry, and is renowned as an outstanding example of American architectural stone carving excellence containing 444 steps and reaching a height of 119ft. Over 500 stone cutters and carvers were employed at various times to complete the staircase and it features famous American faces, such as Lincoln, Washington and Grant, beautifully carved into the sandstone.

Located on the a man made island in Doha Bay in Qatar, the Museum of Islamic Art houses a collection of 4,500 pieces of Islamic art. The buildings own masterpiece is its grand double staircase set below a geometric dome in the main entrance of the museum. The steps are cut into its underside giving the illusion of an upside down staircase.

With striped stairs that create a dizzying effect when reflected in the mirrored walls and sparkly chandeliers, this staircase at luxury five star Parisian hotel Le Royal Monceau Raffles Paris is the masterpiece of designer Philippe Starck who transformed the hotel in 2010 and created a sleek and stylish stairway. Theres more to the hotel than spectacular steps, such as a cool cinema, 149 bedrooms reflecting Starcks fresh style and one of Pariss largest hotel swimming pools.

Created by Irish ceramist Aileen Barr and mosaic artist Colette Crutcher, The 16th Avenue Tiled Steps, tucked away in the quiet neighbourhood of Golden Gate Heights on 16th and Moraga, is a stunning work of art and one of San Franciscos hidden gems. The 163 steps contain 2,000 handmade tiles and 75,000 fragments of tile, mirror and stained glass, which make up scenes of the land, sea and sky. The project involved community workshops and donated tiles were incorporated into the design with over 200 local residents helping to create the panels.

In London, the elegant Tulip Stairs of the Queens House in Greenwich were the first geometric self supporting spiral stairs in Britain. Although the stairs are named after tulips, it is believed the flowers in the wrought iron balustrade are actually fleurs de lis. The Tulip Stairs are the location of Rev R. W. Hardys famous ghost photograph, taken on 19 June 1966, which revealed what appeared to be two or three shrouded figures on the staircase.

Adorned with a plethora of arches and resembling the Leaning Tower of Pisa, the external spiral staircase of the small Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo in Venice is the buildings best known feature. Known as the Scala Contarini del Bovolo (of the snail), the staircase leads to an arcade, offering a charming panoramic view over the rooftops of Venice.

Dame Zaha Hadid was the creator of the sleek, futuristic staircase at Romes Maxxi National Museum of the 21st Century Arts. The architect used swooping curves, impossible angles and dramatic views to style the museum of 21st century arts staircase in 2009. Whats more, the extraordinary stairs were finished in the thick black primer used as an undercoat for new cars and they rise up through the lobby with bare metal treads, disappearing far into the museum. Stairs aside, the Maxxi National Museum consists of two museums MAXXI art and MAXXI architecture and there is a large outdoor courtyard for large scale works of art to be installed.

Were in love with this elegant staircase at the Electoral Palace in the city of Trier, Germany. The south wing stairway oozes rococo glamour and style, and was the creation of artists Johannes Siez and Ferdinand Tietz in 1756. The building is one of the last examples of German Renaissance architecture and was once the residence of the Archbishop of Mainz.