Doppelwendeltreppe Graz

Doppelwendeltreppe Graz (double spiral staircase), officially known as the twin spiral staircase, was constructed in 1499/1500 under the rule of Maximilian I, the German King and later Emperor. It was built by an anonymous master builder from a medieval construction site in Graz Castle, employing skilled stonemasons.

The Graz Staircase is not only one of the most important architectural features in Central Europe, but it is also not the oldest of its kind. The structure was constructed using sandstone and is known for its exceptional level of detail and the boldness of its design, which includes hollow spindles.A stair tower was added to the courtyard façade of the Karlsbau, making it easily visible from the outside.

This is the place where the experimentation of late Gothic architecture is expressed, particularly under the patronage of Emperor Maximilian I. The Graz double helix’s craftsmanship and geometry had a significant impact on Konrad Wachsmann, inspiring him to create the Grapevine study in Chicago in 1953.

The Graz Stairs also reflect the new reference to antiquity during the transition from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. In 1506, two Roman tombstones were incorporated into the facades after being retrieved from the nearby Roman town of Flavia Solva. The principle of separation and reconciliation is widely acknowledged by experts in design, which is why this particular staircase is also referred to as a reconciliation staircase. The residents refer to it as “Busserlstiege,” which translates to “kisses” in reconciliation. The structure is comprised of two staircases that intersect, diverge, and converge on each floor.

Peter Parler, a renowned master of late Gothic architecture, was the designer of the first twin spiral staircases. In 1371, a staggered spiral staircase was erected in Prague’s St. Vitus Cathedral by the builder’s workshop.

The St. Elizabeth’s Cathedral in Košice, built around 1440, is home to the oldest surviving example of a twin spiral staircase.