Karavolades stairs, Stone staircase in Fira, Greece
The Karavolades Stairs winds up the cliffside with 588 steps connecting the Old Port of Santorini to the town of Fira.
This essential pathway was constructed in the 18th century to facilitate the movement of goods and people between the port and the residential area.
The stone steps represent traditional Greek engineering methods, demonstrating how local builders adapted to the steep terrain of Santorini's caldera.
Visitors can choose to walk down the stairs for free or take the cable car, which operates daily from early morning until late evening.
The stairs serve as a shared path where tourists walking up and down regularly encounter donkeys carrying loads between the port and town.
Location: Fira
GPS coordinates: 36.41907,25.42923
Latest update: March 3, 2025 11:48
Stairs serve not only to overcome elevation changes but often rank among the notable structures of their cities. The Spanish Steps in Rome with its 135 steps has connected two districts since 1725 and became a meeting point for locals and visitors. In Montmartre, 222 steps lead to the Basilica of Sacré-Cœur, while Jacob's Ladder on Saint Helena with 699 steps forms one of the longest straight stairways in the world. The selection includes various construction types: spiral staircases in medieval towers, rock-carved ascents to temples and fortresses, and modern outdoor stairs made of concrete and steel. Some stairs were built for practical reasons like the steps to Table Mountain in Cape Town, others as part of religious sites like the stairs to the Golden Rock in Myanmar. Each staircase tells the story of the engineering skills of its era and the people who use it daily.
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