Spiral staircases are stairs that are arranged in a helical shape, and not only are they one of the best ways to save room when building complex structures, but are also, often, works of art in their own right. This beautiful series will introduce you to some of the most beautiful spiral staircases in the world. |
Eckmuhl Lighthouse, France |
Vatican Museum |
Spiral stairs wind around a newel (also the central pole). They typically have a handrail on the outer side only, and on the inner side just the central pole. A squared spiral stair assumes a square stairwell and expands the steps and railing to a square, resulting in unequal steps (larger where they extend into a corner of the square). |
Sagrada Familia, Spain |
Dresden, Germany |
A pure spiral assumes a circular stairwell and the steps and handrail are equal and positioned screw-symmetrically. A tight spiral stair with a central pole is very space efficient in the use of floor area. |
Cottbus University Library, Germany |
Spiral stairs have the disadvantage of being very steep. Unless the central column is very large, the circumference of the circle at the walk line will be small enough that it will be impossible to maintain a normal tread depth and a normal rise height without compromising headroom before reaching the upper floor. |
Heal’s Department Store, United Kingdom |
Spiral stairs in medieval times were generally made of stone and typically wound in a clockwise direction (from the ascender's point of view), to place attacking swordsmen (who were most often right-handed) at a disadvantage. This asymmetry forces the right-handed swordsman to engage the central pike and degrade his mobility compared with the defender who is facing down the stairs. |
San Francisco, USA |
Queen’s House, United Kingdom |
|
Germany |
Finland |
Castle Hartenfels in Torgau, Germany |
|
Tokyo, Japan |
Chinese Garden, Singapore |
Dresden, Germany |
Deutsche Kinemathek Museum, Germany |
Munich, Germany |
Dresden, Germany |
Vizcaya Museum, USA |
The World is Full of Beautiful Opera Houses!
Each of these opera houses is more beautiful and resplendent than the last.
"Presence in Hormuz": an Architectural Pearl
Presence in Hormuz: a beautiful architectural wonder in the Persian Gulf.
Enjoy the Works of English Landscape Artist John Constable
Enjoy these marvelous artworks of English landscape artist John Constable.
Visit Muang Boran in Thailand, an Open Air Museum
Visit the most beautiful open-air museum in Asia - Muang Boran.
Welcome to Wat Rong Khun, Where Imagination Comes to Life!
Check out Wat Rong Khun, commonly known as Thailand's White Temple. We bet you've never seen anything quite like it!
I've Never Seen Photos As Stunning As These...
These beautiful shots, which look more like art will undoubtedly impress you.
Here Are 14 of the Funniest Wildlife Pictures You Will See
Sometimes wild animals can be pretty amusing without realizing it and these hilarious pictures show them at their funniest!
Are These Weirdest Houses Ever Built?
n this video, we're taking you on a journey to meet the weirdest houses in the world, looking very different to the ones we're used to.
22 Rare and Beautifully Colorized Historical Photos
Looking through these meticulously colorized photos, most of which were taken during the two World Wars, is a unique and moving experience.
Some Photos Require No Explanation Whatsoever!
Here are 16 photos, all of which speak more than a thousand words by themselves.
16 Stunning Photos That are Worth 1000 Words
They say that a picture can paint a thousand words, but we feel that the following pictures can paint 10,000 words.
I Miss Photographers Like This One...
Ran Maltet was a French photographer and poet, who died a decade ago. He had what seemed to be a natural talent to seize upon these split seconds of comedy and philosophy, and capture them on camera.
These Are the Most Visually Stunning Castles In England
There aren't many architectural sites in the world that are as impressive as an English castle. Here are the 7 most visually impressive in the country.
These Lighthouses Are Each More Beautiful than the Last...
Used since ancient times, the lighthouse was both a guide and a warning. These monuments are so sturdy, they take nature's beating without a flinch!
X-Ray-ting Discoveries: 13 Cool Finds That Will Amaze You
Explore the fascinating world of x-rays in these cool and quirky pictures.
15 RARE Historical Photos of World Leaders in Their Youth
Have you seen these extremely rare historical photos before?
Behold the Majestically Built Castles of Old France!
The beautiful castles of old France take me back to a different time...
Have You Ever Seen Such Alluring and Artistic Photography?
What's better than a collection of photographs of stunning locations? Adding models wearing beautiful dresses, of course!
These Photographers Got Their Timing Absolutely Spot On!
These perfectly timed photographs are proof that you don’t need to be a professional photographer to take awesome pictures.
These Photos Bring to Life the Most Beautiful Reflections
These photographs are really spectacular. The conditions were exactly right for the photographers to capture these images. Enjoy the stillness here.
These Stunning Bird Photos are All Award Winners
Bird photos make for some of the most beautiful pictures possible, and these are the very best of these.
12 Gorgeous Churches That Reveal France's Beautiful Past
France's rich culture is not built on food, shopping or fashion, but centuries of Christian worship. These 12 magnificent churches remind us of France's gifts.
Stunning Drone Photography of Temples Across Asia
Talented photographer Eleonora Costi traveled through 7 Asian countries and captured stunning shots of the most unique looking temples
These Vintage Celebrity Photos From the Past Are a Delight
Time for some nostalgia! Check out these rarely seen photos of old school celebrities.
These Homeowners Take Interior Decorating to Another Level
Everyone decorates in their own way. These homeowners have let their imaginations go wild with surreal interiors unlike anything you've ever seen.
These Photos Well Deserve to Be Called "Best of the Year"
The National Geographic has been sharing brilliant photography with the world for years, and 2016 has certainly been no exception. Take a look at some here!
The Breathtaking Views of The Polish Tatra Mountains!
Wait until you see how gorgeous the mountains look during the spring season! Here are 16 extraordinary images of the Tatra Mountains.
A Collection of Ancient Trees 14 Years in the Making...
This beautiful project took a decade and a half to complete, but what beauty was captured will live on forever. Take a look for yourself.
This Showstopping Senior Couple Steals the Show Every Day
'In old age, life just begins' is definitely the motto for this elderly couple who are Berlin's fashion icons and social stars
Milestones in History: the 12 First Photographs Ever Taken
The history of photography reaches back centuries, and its evolution is made apparent if we look at some of the most iconic photos in history
10 of the Most Outlandish Building Designs Ever Conceived
These 10 architectural projects push the envelope far enough to reach another planet. Here are 10 of the most outlandish construction projects ever conceived.
These Buildings Are Marvels of Human Creation!
Skyscrapers are the wonders of man-made construction technology and in the following article, you'll see 11 stunning buildings that will truly astonish you.
These Natural Optical Illusions Are Stunning!
Sometimes, chance creates better compositions than any art director ever could. All of these stunning nature photos will make you look twice.
35 Classic National Geographic Photos You'll NEVER Forget
National Geographic's Best Photo Collection presents stunning contest winners.
These Pictures Look Like They Were Taken In Another World
The pictures you're about to see appear as if they were taken on another planet. Enjoy these 23 amazing extraterrestrial-looking pictures.
A Mother’s Love Captured in 15 Stunning Animal Photos
A mother’s love for her child is one of the most heartwarming sights one could witness, a love that transcends the barrier between humans and animals
22 Celebrities Who Make Getting Older Look So Cool
These celebrities are ageless!
20 Photos That Celebrate the Spectacular Colors of our World
The right color palette can turn a regular photo into a work of art. This post contains 20 photos that showcase colorful places around the world.
"Andean Architecture" - The Style That’s Sweeping Bolivia
In El Alto, Bolivia- the fastest growing city in the world in recent years - there's a real architectural revolution happening that you have to see to believe!
Stunning Underwater Photography That'll Make Your Jaw Drop
A selection of stunning photos taken from the Underwater Photography Contest 2017.
These Photos Will Make You Look Twice!!
Photography is a medium that allows magic to happen, with spontaneity often producing far more interesting results. View these photos timed to perfection.
Collection: The World's Most Unique Buildings
This collection includes advanced buildings of the future, stunning old structures, and some of the tallest buildings in the world
20 of the Most Perfectly-Timed Pictures Ever Taken
These have to be the most perfectly-timed pictures ever. Some are hilarious, others painful, and others will just cause amazement at how they were captured.
These Crazy Statues Will Really Mess with Your Head...
Check out these 15 bombastic sculptures that simply appear to defy the laws of physics. Take a look for yourself!
These Chinese Gardens are Like Nothing You've Seen Before!
These gardens combine beauty and function, and are places of pure serenity and unparalleled grace.
10 Places of Worship That'll Leave You Utterly Speechless
These stunning places of worship will dazzle you with their architectural beauty and breathtaking surroundings. Located all over the world, these beautiful buildings are bound to leave you speechless.
Incredible Photography: Winning Photos of the Micro World
These photos are some of the most incredible macro photographs in the world, zooming in on the tiniest things in our world and making them as clear and as beautiful as daylight.