From church domes to bell towers, fanciful rooftops to sky-piercing monuments, Europe is full of climbable structures. While most lead to impressive views, the best also offer insights into the historical, artistic and religious thinking of their times.
In Milan, a highlight is strolling the rooftop of the city鈥檚 cathedral (duomo) and the third-largest church in Europe. After taking the stairs or elevator to the top, visitors can climb up and down the roof鈥檚 multiple terraces, wandering among gargoyles, statues and frilly spires.
Each of the church鈥檚 135 spires is similar, yet different. Climbing through the forest of these lovingly decorated spires, it鈥檚 inspiring to think that every detail 鈥� each flower, saint鈥檚 face and so on 鈥� is an individual work of art carved out of pink marble centuries ago by artists who believed that few would ever see it.
Their art was a gift for God to enjoy from the heavens.
Another worthwhile climb is to the top of the dome at Florence鈥檚 Duomo. Though it was built when Gothic dominated Europe, the Florentines decided not to cap their cathedral with a spire, leaving it with a gaping hole while waiting for technology to catch up with the city鈥檚 vision for a dome instead.
In 1420, Filippo Brunelleschi won the job and built the dome that kicked off the architectural Renaissance. Brunelleschi鈥檚 dome, which inspired the U.S. Capitol Building and St. Peter鈥檚 Basilica in the Vatican, showed how art and science could be combined to make beauty. Today, it rewards those who climb the 463 steep, narrow steps with glorious views.
Along the way, climbers are treated to a close-up of the dome鈥檚 Last Judgment ceiling painting, a grand view of the cathedral鈥檚 interior, and a look at Brunelleschi鈥檚 鈥渄ome-within-a-dome鈥� construction. Because the dome climb is so popular, reservations are required.
A thoroughly different and modern 鈥� but equally spectacular 鈥� dome climb is the hike to the top of the Reichstag in Berlin. Completed in the late 19th century, the German parliament building was gutted by a mysterious fire and Second World War bombs, then stood like a ghost, barely repaired, through the Cold War. But after German reunification, this historic ruin was rebuilt with a modern element: a striking glass dome.
A walkway winds all the way to the top, providing 360-degree views. Climbers see forests of skyscrapers interspersed with historic sights, such as the nearby Brandenburg Gate and the Berlin Cathedral鈥檚 massive copper dome.
But for Germans, mindful of their dark 20th-century history, the view that matters most is inside, looking down through a skylight to see over the shoulders of their legislators. The architecture comes with a poignant message: The people are determined to keep a wary eye on their government. And the dome is so popular that reservations are required to climb it.
Ascending the Eiffel Tower is one of Europe鈥檚 great travel thrills. Built for the 1889 World鈥檚 Fair, the project celebrated the 100th anniversary of the French Revolution and demonstrated that France had the wealth, knowledge and can-do spirit to erect a structure taller than anything the world had ever seen.
Smart travellers book their tower visit months in advance. Even with a reservation, many stand in long lines to take the elevators up and down. For hardy visitors, it鈥檚 cheaper and less crowded to climb the stairs. It鈥檚 quite a hike 鈥� 720 steps up to the second level (the top level is only accessible via elevator), so I prefer to take the stairs down. It takes minutes, and it gives you an up-close look at Gustave Eiffel鈥檚 amazing engineering.
Perhaps the most memorable climb I鈥檝e done in Europe was just 28 steps 鈥� on my knees 鈥� up Rome鈥檚 Scala Santa (Holy Stairs) next to the Church of San Giovanni in Laterano.
In AD 326, Emperor Constantine鈥檚 mother brought home what was reputed to be the marble steps of Pontius Pilate鈥檚 residence in Jerusalem.
Jesus is said to have climbed these steps on the day he was sentenced to death. Today, the steps are covered with wooden slats to protect the marble, but they鈥檙e spotted with glass-covered holes to show stains from Jesus鈥檚 blood on the original stairs.
For centuries, pilgrims have ascended the Scala Santa on their knees while reciting a litany of prayers. And for decades, I watched them from a staircase on the side.
But finally one year, a voice inside me said 鈥淒o it!鈥� and I tried the climb myself. With my knees screaming, weathered faithful struggling up the staircase beside me and a fresco of a crucified Christ high above, I climbed each step, learning about both the bone structure of my knees and the value of pain when praying.
From hiking to the top of the first Renaissance dome to climbing steps on your knees, a little exertion can mean a big payoff in your travels.
Rick Steves (ricksteves.com) writes European travel guidebooks and hosts travel shows on public television and public radio. Email him at [email protected] and follow his blog on Facebook.
