zpostcode
How Does a Double-Helix Staircase Work?
Jul 6, 2025 7:00 PM

  The Château de Chambord is an immense castle in France’s Loire River valley that boasts a treasure trove of stunning artworks and architectural wonders. One of the most impressive of these is a 16th-century double-helix staircase, located at the heart of the château, that allows visitors to ascend and descend at the same time without encountering each other on the steps. How does this remarkable staircase work? By its appearance, the double-helix staircase seems to be a single structure. In fact, it is composed of two separate spiral ramps that intertwine all the way up to the château’s crowning terraces, ...(100 of 887 words) Access the full article Help support true facts by becoming a member. Subscribe today!

Comments
Welcome to zpostcode comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Recommend >
James A. Robinson
     James A. Robinson The 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics was awarded to James A. Robinson and his collaborators Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson. (more) James A. Robinson British-American political scientist and economist Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-A-Robinson Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/James-A-Robinson Also known as: James Alan Robinson...
Vivek Murthy
     Vivek Murthy Official portrait of Vivek Murthy, the 19th and 21st surgeon general of the United States. (more) Vivek Murthy physician and government official Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vivek-Murthy Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Vivek-Murthy Also known as: Vivek Hallegere Murthy Written by Fred Frommer Fred Frommer is a...
Harry Allen Overstreet
     Harry Allen Overstreet Harry Allen Overstreet, circa 1914. Overstreet was an American social psychologist and a staunch advocate of an informed citizenry. (more) Harry Allen Overstreet American social psychologist Actions Cite verifiedCite While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if...
Daron Acemoglu
     Daron Acemoglu The Turkish-American economist Daron Acemoglu, one of the cowinners of the 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics. (more) Daron Acemoglu Turkish-American economist Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Daron-Acemoglu Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Daron-Acemoglu Also known as: Kamer Daron Acemoglu Written by Brian Duignan Brian Duignan is a senior...
Information Recommendation
Simon Johnson
     Simon Johnson The 2024 Nobel Prize for Economics was awarded to economist Simon Johnson, along with collaborators Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson. (more) Simon Johnson American economist Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Simon-Johnson Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Simon-Johnson Written by Brian Duignan Brian Duignan is a senior editor...
Onam
     Women assembling the pookalam flower mat As Onam progresses, more concentric layers are added to the pookalam, creating colorful designs. (more) Onam Hindu festival Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Onam Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Onam Written by Kelly Gisonna Kelly Gisonna, Tara Ramanathan Assistant Technology Editor at Encyclopedia Britannica....
...
microRNA
  microRNA biochemistry Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/microRNA Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/science/microRNA Also known as: miRNA, micro RNA Written by Kara Rogers Kara Rogers is the senior editor of biomedical sciences at Encyclopædia Britannica, where she oversees a range of content from medicine and genetics to microorganisms. She joined...
Ari Aster
     Ari Aster American filmmaker Ari Aster at the Los Angeles premiere of his film Beau Is Afraid, April 10, 2023. (more) Ari Aster American film director and screenwriter Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ari-Aster Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Ari-Aster Written by Michelle Castro Michelle Castro is a Cuban-Chicana freelance...
adobo
     Adobo The Filipino dish of pork adobo incorporates braised pork belly, bay leaves, soy sauce, vinegar, and spices. (more) adobo food Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/adobo Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/adobo Written by Laura Payne Laura Payne is a freelance writer whose work covers many topics. She is...
Jim Harbaugh
     Jim Harbaugh In 2024 Jim Harbaugh returned to the NFL as head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers. (more) Jim Harbaugh American football coach Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jim-Harbaugh Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/biography/Jim-Harbaugh Also known as: James Joseph Harbaugh Written by Nicholas Gisonna Nick Gisonna started writing...
history of Burundi
     Burundi (more) history of Burundi Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Burundi Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/history-of-Burundi Written by René Lemarchand Emeritus Professor of Political Science, University of Florida, Gainesville. Author of Rwanda and Burundi and others. René Lemarchand, Ellen Kahan Eggers Department of English, California State University, Chico. Author...