The Bramante staircase is one of the most peculiar features in the Vatican Museums and it was designed by Donato di Pascuccio d’Antonio, also known as Donato Bramante. This notable architect was among the first ones introducing high renaissance in Rome. His project of the Bramante staircase began in 1505 to facilitate Pope Julius II access to his private residence and continued for about 7 years after which Bramante died.
The staircase connects the Belvedere palace of Pope Innocent VIII to the outside and stands in a square tower with the fascinating shape of a helix; it presents granite Doric columns and a herringbone paving pattern. The project of this staircase reveals the originality of this architect in combining the static image of the columns with the infinite movement expressed by the encircling staircase. The great achievement of Bramante’s project is the harmony derived from this mixture of different styles.
