What is it about stairways? Few inventions are so metaphorical. Say, “Stairway” and, before they think of literal stairs, people think “to Heaven.” We can’t help but make metaphors out of them. They have to be ascended—evoking a sense of labor, beginnings, mystery, hope. Or descended—evoking a sense of failure, departure, endings, loss. Why? Because life is impermanent, and yet we harbor hope. True, there may be a highway to hell. But there’s also a stairway to heaven.
Click on any image to enlarge it, or to begin slide show.
16th Avenue tiled steps, San Francisco
Aqua spiral
Street art stairs
Haiku Stairs, Hawaii
Chand Baori Well, India
Chand Baori Well up close
Abandoned Asylum (this staircase would effect anyone’s sanity)
Book Cover Stairs (Branham)
Stairs as a canvas
Bristol Palace Hotel, Genoa, Italy
Baghsu Temple, India – Enter if you dare!
Fire escape
“Here’s looking at you” (Lamberti Tower, Verona, Italy)
Garvan Institute, Sydney
“Go ahead, I got this.”
Haunted stairs?
Hotel Danieli
Infinity Steps (photo by Martin Widlund)
Livaria Lello bookstore, Porto, Portugal
Livaria Lello bookstore, Porto, Portugal
Lloyds (photo by Lee Pelling)
Magic Mountain Stairway, Germany
Lost in Infinity (note the hand)
Madame Sherri Forest, Chesterfield, New Hampshire
Musée Gustave Moreau, Paris
It’s a mystery
Spiral staircase, Tyayhan Linchzhou, China
Niesenbahn Funicular stairway, Bern, Switzerland – 2.2 miles long (Guinness Book of World Records)
Peles Castle, Romania
Piano Uno (photo by John Galbo)
Piedra de Peñol, Medellín, Colombia
Puzzle steps
Street art stairs
Spiral Staircase (photo by Jaroslaw Blaminsky)
Street art stairs
Street art stairs
Stairs created by Jop van Driel
Stairway to dreams
Street art stairs
Street art stairs
Upward
Stained Glass Staircase, Kanagawa, Japan
Everlasting teardrop
Unraveling stairs
Overenthusiastic stairs?
“There’s a princess up there, I know it!”
Where’s the beanstalk?
Owl-eye stairs (Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs)
The Exorcist Stairs in Washington DC https://citydays.com/places/the-exorcist-stairs/
I had no idea those were in Washington, DC. Seems appropriate somehow. ;>)
Which means of conveyance is speediest? Just a whimsical question! Your remark is well drawn. I wonder if mere alliteration made the way to hell a “highway” instead of, say, a “boulevard”? “Stairway to Sublimity”? “Escalator to Eternity”? These don’t quite work for the alternative! 🙂
;>)
Molto belle le immagini e la descrizione della scala come potente simbolo di ascesa o discesa.
Il tutto corredato da citazioni notevoli.
Grazie!
È un piacere, Paola!
Always great pics and quotes.
Thanks, Pete.
Love the pics and the quotes
One step at a time sweet Jesus
Amen, Sashie.
Lau Tsu’s quote has always been a favorite of mine. Just viewing the images of those steps can trigger vertigo. 🙂
;>)
Those are quote amazing
Great photos. The last quote is my favorite.
I recognize the ruined stairs from Madame Sherri’s Castle. My husband and visited a few years ago.
I love the thought ( and your quotes too) and really enjoyed all your photos of stairways!!
cora
Truly PHENOMENAL photos & I love the quotes. Thanks for sharing
Too many stairs for me to even contemplate!
Great quotes, great images and also the kind of question that can really send one thinking about where the stairs go to, as well as what kind of stairs they might be.
As I scrolled through these, I kept thinking that many of them would look so good in a movie.
The one with the book spines? I’ve read six of those books. Actually, eight, if you count the whole Ransom trilogy. Thanks for the great images and your thoughts on how we journey
My pleasure, and good to hear from you, Paula!
The metaphor of stairways must be considered separately for the ride up and ride down. They feel completely different.
Fantastic post, Mitch! I love the photos of the stairways, and I especially like the quote by Martin Luther King, Jr.
Awe Inspiring
fascinating gallery!
⬻𓂀✧ ✬ღ☆ ∞ ♡ ∞ ☆ღ✬ ✧𓂀⤖
Mitch, this post is a delightful blend of insight and imagery. Your metaphorical take on stairways, combined with those stunning photos, offers both inspiration and a touch of humor. Thanks for reminding us that every journey, no matter how daunting, begins with a single step—and perhaps a chuckle along the way.
Thank you, Tate. And good to meet you.
I never thought I’d be stuck trying to pick a favorite staircase. It’s a great problem to have so thanks!
My pleasure, Neso