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The longest flight of stairs on earth is located on Mount Niesen in Switzerland, nicknamed the “Swiss Pyramid” for its triangular shape. The 3.4 km long staircase, with 11,674 steps, climbs the mountainside, starting from 700 meters at the bottom (from the Kander River in the village of Mühlenen) to 2,363 meters at the top of the mountain. The average slope of the mountain ranges between a whopping 55% and 65%.
For safety reasons, the staircase is usually closed to the general public. But once a year, in June, it opens for the longest single staircase race, the Niesen Treppenlauf, otherwise known as the Niesenlauf. During this race, up to 500 participants must climb this terrifying ladder as high as possible. high speed. The record for men is one hour and two minutes, for women it is one hour and nine minutes, which is truly impressive considering that reaching the summit is equivalent to climbing the Empire State Building seven times.
The challenging race is clearly not for the faint of heart, but its popularity is surprising. Those interested must register almost a year before the race to ensure their place in the competition. And sometimes even this does not guarantee participation - last year's race, for example, was canceled due to heavy snow.
Read also: "" Luckily, you don't have to be chugging along in a race to follow an exciting trail. Instead, you can take a train that runs parallel to the stairs up the steep sides of the mountain. The 28-minute ride, opened in 2010, offers breathtaking views of lush alpine forests, sparse pastures and herds of cows against the backdrop of the snow-capped Alps. The train also passes through several tunnels and high-altitude sections.
In addition, there is an open walking a tourist route with a few slides along the way to compensate for the steepness of the Swiss Pyramid. Want to try?
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Mount Buren, Belgium
In fact, this is not a mountain, but the name of a staircase in the city Liege, consisting of 374 steps. The staircase was named after Vincent where Buren- an aristocrat who lived in the 15th century who defended hometown from the attack of the Duke of Burgundy.
The staircase was built back in 1881 for the safe descent of soldiers. And now Mount Buren - favorite place tourists, climbing which you can admire beautiful views of the Meuse River.
Staircase over the sea in Spain
On a tiny spanish island Gastelugac there is another luxurious staircase. It leads high up the mountain, into hermit's hut, built back in the twentieth century. The best time to walk along the 237 steps, enjoying the silence and picturesque nature, is in spring or autumn. It's crowded here in summer.
Spiral staircase of Tiaihan, China
These steps will certainly appeal to extreme sports enthusiasts. Their height is 91.5 m. The staircase is located near the mountain Tiaihan in Lingzhou, China. Climbing up such stairs is a pleasure: you can feel the full force of the wind, admire the birds flying past, and feel the slight creaking of the steps under your feet.
Staircase of Dreams, Japan
The Staircase of Dreams on Awaji Island in Japan is complex with many buildings and a 100-level garden, which amazes with the variety of flower beds and steps. The Staircase of Dreams was built as a monument to the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995.
Steps to the Canyon
These unusual stairs decorate the waterfall Pailon del Diablo in Ecuador. The steps to the Canyon are the most popular place in the vicinity of the town of Benos, which is a 30-minute drive from the waterfall. Therefore, if you are lucky enough to visit Ecuador, be sure to take a walk along this unique descent.
Chand Baori Well, India
In the Indian village of Abaneri, near Jaipur, there is an interesting structure - Chand Baori, built in 800. The giant well has 3,500 steps that go down 3 0 m underground.
Stairs of Santorini, Greece
To get to the sea, going down the zigzag staircase of Santorini, you will have to walk distance 1300 m(65710 steps). Not a bad workout on a hot day, right?
If a long walk in the sun is not for you, you can use the cable car or ride a donkey to the water. Yes, yes, the city is full of them!
Stairs Schlossberg, Austria
Huge staircase in the city Grazz, Austria, carved right into the rock and leads high up to the Clock Tower itself popular place in the city. The view from the top is unique, so it’s worth climbing the 260 steps to fully enjoy the panorama of Grazza.
Potemkin Stairs, Ukraine
The Potemkin Stairs - symbol of Odessa and the main entrance to the city from the sea. The length of the staircase is 142 m, and the height is 27. The width of the topmost step is 12.5 m, and the width of the bottom is 21.7 g.
Haiku Stairs, Hawaii
The Haiku Staircase is called dear to heaven. It is located on O. Oahu, Hawaii. It was installed in 1942 to communicate with the Naval Radio Station, located high in the mountains.
In the early 2000s, the staircase was restored, which cost the city $875,000. The Haiku steps are currently closed to tourists.
Bridge over the Traversinertobel, Switzerland
This original suspended staircase was designed by an engineer Juerg Konzett with a partner Rolf Bachofner. So they connected two mountains of different heights, with a difference of 22 m.
The length of this staircase bridge is 56 m and it is made of steel.
Staircase as a work of art, Germany
This 21 m high staircase is very looks like a roller coaster. You can walk along it, but you can’t go around the whole circle, because in the middle of the attraction "loop".
Tourists nicknamed the stairs Tiger and Turtle. And she is in Duisburg, Germany.
In modern interiors, stairs are found everywhere: in business centers, in residential buildings, in shops and other buildings. An ordinary staircase will no longer surprise anyone, but some designs still cause genuine delight. The tallest staircases in the world stun the mind with their magnificent and, at the same time, terrifying appearance. Few dare to reach the top step, because it is truly scary!
The highest stairs
The Haiku Staircase, which is also called the stairway to heaven, is located on one of the Hawaiian islands - Oahu. There are 3922 steps and from below it seems as if the staircase ends high in the clouds. Tourists take their breath away just by looking at the local landmark, and only true extreme sports enthusiasts dare to climb it.
Haiku Stairs, Hawaii
The staircase was built in mid-1942 specifically for soldiers. It leads to the top of Koolau Hill, whose height reaches 850 meters. In 2003, approximately $900,000 was allocated to reconstruct handrails and steps for the safety of tourists and local residents.
After the restoration, the official passage to the stairs is closed, and a fine is issued for illegal entry. This circumstance does not stop those who travel the world in search of a dose of adrenaline.
Jacob's Ladder was built in 1829 in Jamestown, St. Helena. It originally served as a funicular railway, connecting the city with the military garrison at the top. The staircase consists of 699 steps and rises 200 meters in height, and the angle of inclination along the entire path is 45 degrees. Locals describe the landmark as "breaking your heart on the way up and breaking your neck on the way down."
Jacob's Ladder, Jamestown
Only those with nerves of iron can walk up Jacob's ladder, because it is almost vertical.
The spiral staircase is located at the foot of Mount Tiaihan, its height is almost 92 meters! Here you can get a lot of emotions without putting your life at risk. Only adults under 60 years of age and without heart or respiratory problems are allowed on the stairs.
Spiral staircase, Linzhou, China
The staircase was built for tourists so that they could experience all the delights of mountaineering without professional equipment and appreciate the splendor of the Taihang Mountain Range. Already halfway through the journey, a strong wind knocks you off your feet, and the structure begins to creak. Those who make it to the top step will be treated to breathtaking views from the observation deck.
The pride and one of the main attractions of Odessa is the Potemkin Stairs, which stretches as much as 142 meters! It has 192 wide steps and 10 flights.
Potemkin Stairs, Odessa, Ukraine
The trapezoidal staircase was built at the beginning of the 19th century to connect the Turkish fortress of Yeni Dunya and the shores of the Black Sea. From below it looks as if all the steps are the same width. In fact, the width of the upper step is 12.5 meters, and the lower one is 21.7 m.
Today the Potemkin Stairs are very popular among tourists. Everyone who has ever been to Odessa has definitely visited this unique historical place.
In order to make a pilgrimage to Flower Mountain (Hua Shan), one of the sacred mountains Taoism, you will have to climb a terrifying vertical ladder. The number of steps in it is still unknown: everyone who tried to count them lost count due to uncontrollable fear.
Staircase to Mount Huashan, China
The height of the stairs is 2130 meters and you need to climb to the top using chains, despite the fact that most of the way has to be overcome in thick fog. The final stage of the ascent will be the ascent along the Blue Dragon's Rib - a completely vertical staircase, on both sides of which there are the highest cliffs.
This attraction is popular among Chinese pilgrims, but tourists prefer not to fray their nerves and climb to the top of the mountain by cable car.
Flørli Staircase, Norway
The intimidating wooden structure is located in the power station, which is considered a historical site from the early 20th century. The staircase consists of 4444 steps and extends 1600 meters in length and 740 meters in height. There are no fences on the sides of the building, and it creaks quite loudly along the entire path.
Flørli Staircase, Norway
The wooden staircase is the main attraction small town Fleurley. In spring and summer, it offers incredible views of the mountain ranges. And those who are not afraid to walk along the creaking structure and climb to the very top will have the opportunity to admire the ancient building in the Art Nouveau style.
Inca Staircase, Peru
The staircase to Machu Picchu was paved with stones approximately 500 years ago. It leads to the top of Huayna Picchu, where the Temple of the Moon is located. The steps of the stairs are carved directly from the rock itself, so they are often wet and slippery. For those who are afraid of heights, it is better not to tempt fate and not start climbing to the top.
Inca Staircase, Peru
Tourists who decide to take a walk along the ancient stairs must be extremely careful - on one side there is a huge abyss over the Urubamba River. There are many people who want to get a dose of adrenaline, so the Peruvian authorities have introduced a strict restriction: no more than 400 people can visit the Inca Stairs per day.
Mount Buren is the name of the staircase, which is located in the small Belgian city of Liege. It connects the Or-Château quarter to the top of the hill, which was once a military fortress and now houses the citadel park.
All flights of stairs, including 374 steps, were built in 1881 for soldiers. Thus, the path from the fortress to the city was noticeably shortened.
Soldier's Staircase (Mount de Buren), Belgium
Despite a large number of steps, the path along the Soldier's Stairs is not so difficult. After each flight there are comfortable benches for rest. Every tourist can easily climb to the top and enjoy the view of the city surroundings and the Meuse River.
In the provincial Austrian town of Graz there is a unique historical landmark - the clock tower, which can only be climbed along the zigzag Schlossberg stairs. It has 260 steps carved from the rock itself.
Stairs to the Schlossberg, Austria
The height of the stairs is 70 meters, and the climb is so steep that few tourists dare to climb to the top. That is why a special elevator was built next to the structure, allowing you to climb to the top, bypassing the slippery steps of the stairs.
On the hill reached by the Schlossberg Stairs, you can see the ruins of an old castle and other historical buildings.
Chkalov Stairs, Russia
The construction of the Chkalov Stairs lasted almost five years and was completed in 1949. The structure has 560 steps. The main purpose of the monumental building is to connect Minin and Pozharsky Square with the banks of the Volga.
Chkalov Stairs, Russia
The staircase was built in the form of an infinity sign (figure eight) and two observation decks. In 2013, the landmark was completely restored, updating the bas-reliefs, steps, supports and lamps.
The staircase, named after the great pilot, became the main source of pride for Novgorod residents. This is a favorite place for athletes, newlyweds and, of course, tourists.
An amazing staircase carved from stone leads to an arch in Tianmen Mountain. According to geologists, in 263 the arch formed on its own, and a little later an approach was built to it in the form of a staircase consisting of 999 steps. The Chinese believe that those who overcome all the steps on their own will find eternal happiness.
Heaven's Gate Staircase, China
The Gastelugache staircase is located on a small island of the same name in the province of Vizcaya. It is connected to the mainland by a stone staircase with 237 steps.
Stairs of Gaztelugatxe, Spain
The main historical attraction of the island is the monastery, the construction of which dates back to the beginning of the 10th century.
To get to the top of the lonely rock El Peñon de Guatape, you will have to climb to a height of 60 meters, overcoming 650 steps.
Staircase at El Peñon de Guatape, Colombia
A bizarre zigzag-shaped staircase is made of brick right in the resulting crack of the ancient monolith. It is worth going through all the steps to enjoy the view of the lakes, ancient buildings and visit a local restaurant.
The Niesen staircase is the undisputed leader among the longest and tallest staircases in the world. There are no analogues to it. The length of the entire structure is as much as 3.5 km, and the height reaches almost 1670 m above sea level. The staircase, located near the village of Mühlenen, has 11,764 steps, which, unfortunately, cannot be climbed. The staircase is for workers only and is not accessible. For tourists who want to visit mountain peak They will offer to use the funicular.
Staircase on Mount Niesen, Switzerland
On one day a year, the staircase does open for a single race. Up to 500 people fight for the right to be the first to reach the top of the mountain. Registration for participation is carried out almost a year before the competition, because There are quite a lot of people who want to get intense emotions.
If you are lucky enough to see at least one of these stairs, it is worth testing your strength by trying to climb to the end. Incredible views will open before your eyes, and you will be able to proudly tell your friends about how you climbed one of the tallest stairs in the world.
From a simple straight staircase to a medieval spiral designed to give warriors an advantage in sword fighting... This article features the most amazing staircases in the world!
Spanish Steps: Italy
The Spanish Steps are one of the most recognizable landmarks in Rome. It was originally intended to be the entrance to the church of Trinita dei Monti. The elegant 135-step staircase was opened in 1725 by Pope Benedict XIII and named after the Spanish Embassy in the Vatican.
Lion Rock: Sri Lanka
Climbing Lion Rock is one of the must-do activities in Sri Lanka. The rock is more than 1500 years old. The surviving ancient ruins of the palace can only be reached by climbing 1,200 steps. Halfway up the cliff on a small plateau, two lions' paws mark the entrance to the final climb.
To reach the top, visitors must cope with steep, narrow, slippery limestone stairs, man-made paths and a vertical winding staircase. The reward is a stunning view from above of the frescoes along the stone wall.
Chand Baori: India
Chand Baori is a step well built in the 9th century in the village of Abhaneri, Rajasthan. With 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, it is the largest and steepest climb in India and one of the most unusual stairs in the world. 13 tiers of 7 steps each descend to the bottom of the water storage. The staircase surrounds the water on three sides, and on the fourth side there is a three-story pavilion with carved enclosed balconies.
Momo Stairs: Vatican
The Momo staircase, also called the snail staircase, is formed by two separate spiral staircases made of wrought iron, one going up and the other going down. They twist together to form a double helix.
This design allows people to ascend without encountering people descending, ensuring smooth flow in every direction in the popular Vatican Museums.
Bom Jesus do Monti: Portugal
Bom Jesus do Monti is a pilgrimage site outside the city of Braga with an open baroque staircase. The dark granite staircase covered with white plaster is known as the Sacred Way. It leads to the 18th-century sanctuary of Bon Jesus (Good Jesus), which is located on the top of a hill. Although there are no saints there, many pilgrims choose to climb the zigzag steps.
Umschreibung: Germany
Hidden away in an office building in Munich, this staircase leads to heaven. Umschreibung, which means "euphemism" or "environment" in German (also "detour" or "periphrasis"), was erected in 2004 by the Danish sculptor and artist Olafur Eliasson. The steel structure is shaped like a double helix. There is a small opening at the bottom of the stairs, and a quick climb guarantees great views or a pleasant break from work.
Baroque spiral staircase of Melk Abbey: Austria
Melk Abbey was founded in 1089 and is located on a rocky cliff overlooking the Danube River. A spiral staircase with Roccoco grille leads from the small library room to other library spaces that are not open to visitors.
These incredibly beautiful steps were painted very elegantly, which allows us to call Melk Abbi one of the most remarkable places in the world.
Tulip staircase: England
At the Queen's House, Greenwich, the elegant Tulip Stairs date back to the 17th century. It was the first geometric self-supporting spiral staircase in the UK. The bright blue paint that covers the wrought iron structure is made from crushed glass, and the restaurateurs followed this method of execution. The name of the staircase comes from the floral patterns depicted on it.
Red staircase at Livraria Lello: Portugal
One of the oldest bookshops in Portugal, Livraria Lello (or Lello Bookshop), features a luxurious red staircase. The bookshop and staircase were designed by engineer Francisco Xavier Esteve.
The staircase resembles two streams of water flowing into one. In addition, Livraria Lello also has a stained glass ceiling and carved wooden shelves that house centuries-old books.
Rococo staircase in Palazzo Biscari's: Italy
Palazzo Biscari is a private baroque villa in Catania. It contains an elegant white staircase inspired by the Rococo style. Its decor is unique in all of Sicily. The staircase is paneled in dense Rococo plaster and features intricate balustrade design and magnificent 18th-century frescoes.
Barneys New York: New York
Since Barneys New York, one of the most famous clothing retailers in the world, opened its new location in the city center in early 2016, shoppers are spending less time searching for clothes. The centerpiece of the original Barneys store is the spiral staircase designed by Andre Putnam.
Grand Staircase at the Museum of Islamic Art: Qatar
The Grand Spiral Staircase in the center of the Museum of Islamic Art's foyer has steps that are carved into the back of the steps to give the illusion of an inverted staircase. The staircase is offset from the patterned chandelier hanging above it.
Musical Piano Stairs in Wyun Square: China
There are many piano stairs in the world, but this one located in Hangzhou produces suitable musical notes when people walk on the steps. Fifty-four steps were installed next to the escalator to encourage people to play the tune.
Spiral staircase Sprinkenhof: Germany
Hamburg's Kontorhausviertel was built in the Expressionist style of the 1920s and features buildings with reinforced concrete and red brick facades. In 2015, together with Speicherstadt, it was included in the List world heritage UNESCO. In one of the office buildings, visitors can find the most famous staircase in Hamburg.
Apartment building "Red Wall": Spain
Perched on the rocky cliff of Calpe, La Muralla Roja-Spanish is a housing project. An unusual structure, the 50-apartment complex incorporates many elements of classical Arabic and Mediterranean architecture.
The building can be described as a maze or a puzzle. The staircase zigzag cages are designed in silver and indigo shades. They contrast with vertical walls painted pink and red.
Batu Caves: Malaysia
Batu Caves, located north of Kuala Lumpur, is one of the most popular Hindu shrines outside India, dedicated to Murugan (a Hindu deity).
To reach the impressive caves (Temple Cave, Dark Cave and Art Gallery Cave and several smaller ones), visitors must climb 272 steps. Located outside the caves, the deity is covered in 66 gallons of gold paint. This is the most tall statue Murugan.
Steps of 16th Avenue: California
Possibly the world's largest mosaic staircase, the 16th Avenue tiled staircase was a community project led by Irish ceramicist Eileen Barra and San Francisco mosaic artist Colet Crutcher.
One hundred and sixty-three steps contain 2,000 hand-made tiles, worked on by over 300 local people. The grainy and mirrored fragments of 75,000 pieces are combined to form a mosaic of starfish.
Spiral staircase in Taihang Mountains: China
In hopes of promoting tourism, a tall spiral staircase called "Stairway to Heaven" was installed in the Taihang Mountains. It is designed to give climbers the thrill of heights. But even looking at these narrow stairs can make you dizzy. Only one person can fit across the width, so turning back is not possible.
This staircase is not for the faint of heart, and all climbers must be under 60 years of age and not have heart or lung problems.
Vertical staircase in QVB building: Australia
The Queen Victoria Cindy Building and its Vertigo staircase were designed in 1898 by architect George MacRae as a monument to the British monarch. Construction took place at a time when Australia was experiencing a severe recession, and the building's intricate Romanesque architecture provided work for craftsmen such as masons, plasterers and stained glass artists.
The QVB spans the entire city block and features an internal glass dome, an external copper clad dome, stained glass windows, arches, columns, balustrades and intricate tiled floors.
Wurzburg Residence: Germany
The Baroque architectural complex is located in the Franconia region of Bavaria. It is one of the greatest Baroque palaces in Europe and includes an innovative staircase design. Architect Balthasar Neumann designed a staircase with three directions. From the hallway it leads to an empty wall and then splits into two staircases that also double.
