Upstairs, Downstairs: The World's Most Amazing Staircases

A staircase in the Hotel de Ville, located in Nancy, France. The hotel was built in 1755 and features ornate wrought-iron balustrades. (Courtesy of POPSUGAR Home)

A detailed shot of the steps to an observatory in Senftenberg, Germany. Built by Architektur und Landschaft group in 2008, the observatory overlooks a former industrial wasteland. (Courtesy of POPSUGAR Home)

One of many spiral staircases in the State Law Library of Iowa in Des Moines. Built in 1884, this staircase was made from cast iron, which was a relatively new material in architectural design at the time. (Courtesy of POPSUGAR Home)

Ancient rock steps lead to a fortress in Sri Lanka. (Courtesy of POPSUGAR Home)

Designed by Sir John Vanbrugh and built in the 1720s, this austere, vertigo-inducing staircase is located at Seaton Delaval Hall in Northumberland, North East England. (Courtesy of POPSUGAR Home)

A perfect example of the art nouveau style, this staircase was part of a house designed by architect Victor Horta for a prominent family in Brussels, circa 1892. (Courtesy of POPSUGAR Home)

Ornate stairs that lead to the private apartments of Ludwig II of Bavaria, built around 1881. (Courtesy of POPSUGAR Home)

Well worn, this staircase has been in the Oeuvre Notre-Dame since 1585, when the building was completed. (Courtesy of POPSUGAR Home)

Built in 1745 for Frederick the Great of Prussia, these steps lead to his palace of Sanssouci in Brandenburg, Germany. (Courtesy of POPSUGAR Home)

Barouque figures greet guests at the Palazzo Canossa in Mantua, Italy. (Courtesy of POPSUGAR Home)