Staircases to sweep you off your feet

Sure, elevators are more convenient, but staircases provide a window to the world so rarely seen from any other vantage point. No matter if they are etched into the side of a rock face, as the 740 steps are at Colombia's 10-million-ton Stone of El Peñol, or cut through water, like the Moses Bridge in southern Holland: Staircases not only provide a functional role, but oftentimes an aesthetic one as well. And it's with the most beautiful staircases that function is frequently forgotten, as the structure is almost entirely appreciated for its ability to take our breath away.

Here are some inspirations

Bom Jesus do Monte Church (Braga, Portugal)

Completed in 1772, visitors who want to ascend to the top of Bom Jesus do Monte Church (Good Jesus of the Mount) have to endure 381 feet of climbing. The Baroque stairway is iconic for many reasons, not least of all for its zigzag pattern. In July of 2019, Bom Jesus do Monte Church was named as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Dongdaemun Design Plaza (Seoul, South Korea)

Designed by Zaha Hadid (in collaboration with the South Korean firm Samoo), the staircase within Seoul's Dongdaemun Design Plaza is a dizzying display of the late architects work.

Melk Abbey (Melk, Austria)

Originally built in 1673, Austria's Melk Abbey overlooks the Danube River, making for some of the most dramatic views in the area. But many visit the abbey, not for the views looking out, but more for the view from within. And much of that is due to a Baroque spiral staircase within the church.

Innovative Space Asia Hub (Singapore)

Designed by WOHA, a Singapore-based architecture firm, the Innovative Space Asia Hub is a stunning building that blends modern and historic architecture. The building was completed in 2011, and is used for a wide range of purposes including dining as well as an event space.

The Vatican Museums (Rome, Italy)

The Vatican Museums's old spiral staircase is one of the most beautiful parts of the space. Known as the Bramante Staircase, the original was built in 1505, which the new one (pictured) was completed in 1932.

Patagonia, Chile & Argentina

These wooden steps were made specifically for hikers exploring the wilderness of Patagonia. Located along the tip of South America, Patagonia is one of the most stunning natural wonders of the world, and should be a must-visit for anyone able to trek through the elements.

Heaven’s Gate Mountain (Zhangjiajie, China)

Located within Tianmen Mountain National Park in southeastern China, the Heaven’s Gate Mountain allows visitors to quite literally walk up a mountain. Once at the top of the staircase, visitors are rewarded with spectacular views on both sides of the divide thanks to a 431-foot tall natural hole in the mountain.

Chand Baori (Abhaneri, India)

Built between 800 and 900 A.D., Chand Baori is one of the oldest and most attractive landmarks in northwest India. The structure is comprised of roughly 3,500 steps that funnel 100 feet into the ground.

Würzburg Residence (Würzburg, Germany)

Built in the middle of the 18th century, the Würzburg Residence in southern Germany exemplifies Baroque architecture at its finest. Among the more dramatic sections of the building are the staircases, which run beneath the world’s largest fresco, a painting which shows elements of every continent.

Pompidou Centre (Paris, France)

Designed by starchitect Renzo Piano in the 1970s, the Pompidou Centre is located within the fourth arrondissement of Paris. The structure houses several cultural institutions, including the Musée National d'Art Moderne, which is the largest museum for modern art in Europe. The building, including the street-facing staircase, does not hide the exoskeleton of the structure.

The Vessel (New York City)

The Vessel is an interactive sculpture comprising a network of stairs and landings that visitors can climb (or take an elevator) to the top. Designed by Thomas Heatherwick (who beat out, among others, Anish Kapoor to earn the project), the structure was created to add harmony and balance within a grid of vertical metal and glass. The team at Heatherwick Studio used a noncorrosive steel to coat each level of the structure. This was meant to mirror the action and movement above and below every layer of the 150 foot-tall Vessel, making the experience more interactive.

El Peñon de Guatape (near Medellin, Colombia)

Located some 40 miles due east of Medellin, El Peñon de Guatape is a 7,000-foot rock that has turned into a landmark in the region. Visitors can reach the top and take in the sweeping marshy landscape by scaling the 600 stairs to the summit.

Tiger & Turtle Magic Mountain (Duisburg, Germany)

Tiger & Turtle Magic Mountain is like no other roller coaster in the world in the sense that visitors do all the work by walking throughout the structure. Designed by German artists Heike Mutter and Ulrich Genth, the loop is more of a sculpture than an actual ride. Nevertheless, those who go will be awarded with a workout and sweeping views of the surrounding countryside of Duisburg.

(Sanxiantai, Taiwan)

On the far eastern coast of Taiwan is a cluster of islands that jut out of the Pacific Ocean. For those who venture to this eastern locale, a series of eight arched bridges are available (and beautiful) for visitors to walk to Sanxiantai Island. Once on the island, adventurous travelers have the options of climbing up to the top of the island, where the views of the Pacific Ocean are unmatched.

Alishan Siding Yunhai (Chiayi County, Taiwan)

The views from the top of any mountainside in Alishan Siding Yunhai, Taiwan are truly breathtaking. But climbing a series of wooden step, especially during sunrise or sunset, makes the trek all the more memorable.

Moses Bridge (Halsteren, Netherlands)

As the name suggests, this bridge takes on biblical qualities, as it parts the waters and allows visitors to walk through a moat without getting wet. The bridge, which was constructed using waterproof wood, may not look very high-tech. But that’s certainly not the case. RO&AD architects, the firm responsible for designing the bridge, ensured that the height of the water was controlled by adjustable dams at both sides of the moat.