Bramante Staircase (Scala del Bramante)

The Bramante Staircase, designed by Donato Bramante in 1505, is a double-helix spiral staircase lined with Doric columns, connecting the Vatican’s Belvedere Palace to the city of Rome below. Commissioned by Pope Julius II, this engineering marvel and artistic masterpiece inspired Giuseppe Momo’s 1930s staircase at the Vatican Museums exit. Visitors can admire the intricate design and the interplay of light and shadow as they ascend or descend the historic steps, experiencing a blend of functionality and aesthetic beauty that has endured for centuries.