From spiral to helical stairs: Santa Cruz la Real and Santiago Apóstol approaches

Abstract

In the late 15th and the early 16th centuries different styles coexisted in Spain. Amongst them, the predominant one was the late Gothic Architecture. This paper focuses on the helical staircase as one of the more representative elements of this style. It analyses the geometric and constructive configuration of (i) the stair located in the church apse of the Monasterio de Santa Cruz la Real in Segovia and (ii) the one located in the tower of Santiago Apóstol Church in Villa del Prado. As will be shown, both are examples of seemingly intermediate steps between the spiral and the helical staircases. Our purpose, is to contribute to the knowledge about the way this type of circular staircases were built and gain a better understanding of the process followed by the stonemasonry masters. Both aspects are essential to provide a solid foundation for the preservation of this type of Heritage.