View of the staircase in the main entrance to the Château de Chambord. The design of the double spiral staircase at the Château de Chambord is often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, although there is no concrete evidence of his direct involvement. Construction of the castle began in 1519, the year da Vinci died. The double revolution staircase is a remarkable architectural feat, allowing two people to go up and down without ever crossing paths, thanks to two staircases wrapped one above the other around an empty column.