Momo's Double-Helix Staircase

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Double-helix staircase by Giuseppe Momo

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The famous double-helix staircase (1932) in the Vatican Museums was designed by the architect and engineer Giuseppe Momo (1875-1940). The staircase (in reality two stepped ramps) was ingeniously designed to provide visitors with a separate route for ascending and descending to and from the museums.

Momo's staircase is decorated with the heraldic arms of Pope Pius XI (r. 1922-39). Unfortunately, since the new entrance to the Vatican Museums was opened in 2000, the staircase is only open to visitors wishing to descend. 

• Related Post: Bramante's Staircase.