Overview:

Scala Regia, also known as the Royal Staircase, is one of the most iconic monuments inside Vatican City. Located in the Cortile della Pigna, it is a large staircase which leads directly from the ground level to the entrance of the Apostolic Palace. The staircase was designed by Italian architect Giacomo della Porta for Pope Paul V and built between 1608 and 1656. It is one of the few mannerist monuments still preserved in Rome, and one of the most impressive ones to be found in the Vatican. Built in the form of a semi-circle, the staircase is made up of two flights of shallow steps flanked by four giant columns. As one ascends the staircase, frescoes depicting the entries of Pope Clement VIII in France (1592-1598) on the left, and Pope Paul V in Valencia (1610-1612) on the right, are visible on the walls. At the top of the staircase, a cylindrical niche is adorned by a marble statue of Pope Paul V. Interestingly, the reliefs on the columns depict scenes from the Old Testament. The Scala Regia remains one of the most photographed monuments inside the Vatican City, and is a must-see for visitors. You can learn history, culture, and heritage through these magnificent monuments in Vatican-City
Prominent Features:

The Scala Regia (Royal Staircase) is one of the most iconic architectural features in Vatican City and a must-see for visitors. Situated between the Piazza San Pietro and the Belvedere Courtyard, it is an impressive baroque work of art designed by Bernini in 1650 as a way for Popes to descend from the Apostolic Palace to the papal audience place below. The entire staircase consists of two majestic flights of steps on both sides. The one on the right houses the statue of Constantine, while the one on the left commemorates Charlemagne. Although a grand staircase of marble and limestone, the most striking feature is the spiral columns covered with travertine, an exceptionally precious type of marble. Above the stairs hangs a huge bust of Pope Innocent X, the pope who ordered the completion of the staircase. The landing of the stairs is covered with a magnificent red velvet carpet that was presented to Pope Gregory XVI on the occasion of his coronation. The Scala Regia is also rich in symbols. In its center stands the coat-of-arms of Pope Innocent X and is surrounded by angels and symbols representing his political program, justice, and mercy. In the middle of the staircase, the viewer can find an impressive sculpture of the Holy Spirit, believed to have the power to protect the Pope. Of all the features that make the Scala Regia so remarkable, its sheer size and grandeur make it a remarkable sight in Vatican City. The entire staircase is about 262 feet long, making it one of the longest and most majestic staircases in the world. A truly breathtaking sight, even today, the Scala Regia remains one of the most iconic features of Vatican City and a must-see for visitors. This national monument of Vatican-City portrays the history and culture of the country.

History:

The Scala Regia is a grand staircase in the Vatican-City built in the seventeenth century. It is composed of two magnificent flights of stairs of twenty five steps each, and is considered to be the grandest and most impressive staircase in the world. The building of the Scala Regia began in 1663 and was commissioned by Pope Alexander VII. He wanted the staircase to give visiting rulers from different countries an impressive entry into the Vatican when they arrived on their official visits. This is why the staircase is referred to as the Royal Staircase. The staircase was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini, a renowned Italian sculptor and architect. It is situated at the entrance to the Vatican Palace and is a beautiful marble construction with red, white and pink inlaid floors and elaborate baroque decorations. The top step of the staircase is known as the "Step of Truth" which is the traditional place for swearing oaths and making declarations. This grand staircase and the hall at the top of it, known as the Sala Regia, served as the official room for papal receptions throughout the 18th and 19th centuries and still today it is used for important ceremonies. The Scala Regia is a symbol of the power and grandeur of the Papacy and continued to be the staircase of choice for visiting dignitaries and distinguished people until the construction of the New Staircase in the courtyard of the Vatican Museums around 1750 and the reconstruction of the Belvedere Courtyard in the nineteenth century. You must visit one of these historical places in Vatican-City on your Vatican-City tour

Interesting facts:

1. The Scala Regia is a monumental double staircase located in the Apostolic Palace in Vatican City. 2. It was designed in the late 16th century by architect Giacomo Della Porta for Pope Gregory XIII. 3. The staircase has a grand and regal design with the steps divided into two symmetric branches, each consisting of 11 steps. 4. It is decorated with elaborate inlaid marble panels depicting scenes from the Biblical Old Testament. 5. The staircase has a total of 24 steps and is considered to be one of the grandest creations of the Italian baroque period. 6. In 1725, two life size bronze statues were erected at the top of the steps depicting Pope Gregory XIII and Pope Sixtus V. 7. During the conclave of 1978, when the cardinals gather to elect a new pope, they are welcomed through the Scala Regia. 8. The Scala Regia has been featured in numerousfilms, television documentaries, and video games over the years. Visit one of the famous monuments of Vatican-City with your friends and family.