The Modern Bramante Staircase by Chalbaud
Vatican City is the tiniest sovereign state on the planet, measuring just 0.17 square miles and a population of around 900. It became independent from Italy in 1929. Roman neighbourhoods, historic plazas and buildings surround the enclave, and this small country is the power base of the Catholic Church.
The Sistine Chapel and its historic ceiling painted by Michelangelo is considered Vatican City’s most prominent feature, but the sheer wealth of exquisite architecture, art, and sculpture is astonishing. Vatican City is in a class of its own.
The image above is an architectural marvel. It is the spiral stairs, in the Pio-Clementino Museum in Vatican City. The shape replicates the double helix of a strand of human DNA. If you ascended to the top and a friend descended to the bottom at the same time, you would never cross paths on this staircase. Mind-bending, isn’t it?
Designed in 1932 by Italian architect and engineer, Giuseppe Momo, the stairs are closely modelled on an existing staircase conceived by Donato Bramante in the 16th century. That stair is located in a square tower at the Belvedere palace of Pope Innocent VIII. Similar to the museum staircase, it allows traffic to travel in both directions without obstruction.
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The Original Bramante Staircase
The original staircase designed by Bramante was commissioned by Pope Julius II and makes use of herringbone paving with substantial granite columns situated at the innermost side of the spirals. The stair was constructed inside the square tower and was a convenient method to link the Belvedere Palace to the streets below. Additionally, it was designed to allow the Pope at the time to navigate the stairs by carriage.
The original staircase closely resembles a paved ramp, not a staircase, but the icing on the cake is truly the double helix design. Of course, Bramante could not have known about the form of DNA at the time, and this is likely not the source of his inspiration. Nevertheless, it is something we observe and marvel at today many centuries after. Its true ingenuity and striking beauty rest in how it was designed solely for convenience and utility, but to our modern eyes, it is a stunning masterpiece carved in stone. It was commissioned to allow mules and horses to travel up and down while carrying heavy, bulky items into the papal palaces. Additionally, the stone structure affords impressive views over Rome and the sprawling Vatican estate. Unfortunately, it is seldom seen by the public today and is locked away behind iron bars. It remains a challenging place to visit.
The Modern Bramante Staircase by Giuseppe Momo
However, the modern incarnation is free to be enjoyed. It is located in the Pio-Clementino Museum too, but this stair leads visitors out of the museum, but like its older brother, it is not merely a route for exiting the building. To stand at the summit and look down at the swirling visitors is enthralling. Giuseppe Momo recreated similar features to the original, and it shares the double helix form however it has steps and not a ramp. Natural light drips through a glass ceiling, illuminating the bronze balustrade and papal seal emblazoned on it.
Chalbaud has managed to capture a striking image that gives us unhindered access to enjoy the finer detail of the architecture that we might not see on a busy day to the museum as people funnel up and down the stone structure.
Of course, the Bramante staircase is just one jewel in the crown full of treasures that is the Vatican City. Some of the world’s finest works of art reside in the city such as Caravaggio’s ‘The Entombment of Christ’, St Peter’s Basilica and the ‘Belvedere Torso’.
It is hard to imagine anyone coming away from Vatican City unchanged or unaffected by the history and the culture of that place. Even a layperson can appreciate the human skill and endeavour that has gone into creating such magnificent works. It is woven into the fabric of the city. It is woven into our DNA.
Maybe that’s the reason why Chalbaud is so relentless in her pursuit of finding the perfect shot. Something compels her deeply to travel with her camera. She continues to travel the world displaying humankind’s greatest achievements
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