5/5 Joao Cesar E. 10 years ago on Google
Inside
Pio-Clementine
Museum,
one
of
the
Vatican
Museums,
lies
a
marvel
of
Renaissance
architecture,
commissioned
by
Pope
Julius
II
in
1505
to
connect
the
Belvedere
Palace
of
Innocent
VIII
to
the
city
of
Rome.
Inside
a
large
square
tower,
a
dramatic
spiraling
structure,
built
of
carved
stone,
was
created
by
famous
architect,
Donato
Bramante.
Consisting
of
two
intertwining
staircases
that
form
a
DNA-like
double
helix,
this
innovative
structure
represented
a
design
that
had
yet
to
be
discovered.
This
lead
to
its
enormous
popularity
and
an
ongoing
fascination
from
the
public,
since
the
day
of
its
inception.
Its
unique
design
also
became
very
influential,
used
as
a
model
for
the
more
recent
replica
‘Bramante
Staircase’
created
in
1932
by
Giuseppe
Momo,
built
to
serve
as
an
entry
for
the
Vatican
Museums
and
now
used
as
the
exit.
Centuries
ago,
the
flat,
ramp-like
‘staircases’
of
Bramante’s
structure
were
designed
to
walk
up
one
and
walk
down
the
other,
so
that
mules
and
horses
could
continuously
go
up
and
down
with
ease
while
carrying
large
items
into
the
papal
palaces.
Besides
its
impressive
stonework
and
design,
the
tower
offers
spectacular
views
across
Rome
and
the
Vatican
property.
Today,
few
ever
set
foot
on
the
staircase
as
it
remains
behind
rod
iron
gates,
closed
off
to
the
general
public.
Only
those
who
have
been
granted
special
access,
such
as
Insight
Vacations,
have
permission
to
enter.
3 people found this review helpful 👍
