In the city of Wuppertal, located in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, lies a set of 112 steps known as the Holsteiner stairs. In 2006/2008, German artist Horst Glaesker applied acrylic paint (of seemingly every color) to each step. One color per step with a German word adorned on each.

Below you can see the English translation of each word, thanks to the work of Flickr user Frizztext. What a wonderful way to add some color to the cityscape!

The First Staircase

to forgive

remorse

to protect

to jubilate

honor

family

to frighten

fear

innocence

homeland

to cuddle

to heat

mother

to stroke

luck



Second Staircase

aggressive

cause

peaceful

joy

to soothe

prohibition

to arm

to offer resistance

rage

enthusiasm

brother

proximity

honesty

to laugh

to speak



Translated by Frizztext

3rd Staircase

attention

circumspection

to lie

to warn

confused

trauma

distressed

offended

self-control

complaints

envy

fury

to abuse

threat

wicked



4th Staircase

love

come together

to seduce

to pine

to fall in love

sympathy

to dance

kissing hands

admirer

exuberant

to get the tinglies

passion

attractive

to flourish

to allow



Translated by Frizztext

5th Staircase

to leave

disappointment

desperate

to weep

hate

short circuit

doubt

panic

love-sick

offence

jealousy



6th Staircase

dignity

steadfast

fidelity

depth

divine

quality

to clarify

to overcome

to assist

endurance



Translated by Frizztext

7th Staircase

guilt

tears

revenge

to suffer

mis-conception

silence

abuse

prosecution

dread

terror



8th Staircase

peace

hope

to esteem highly

confidence

curing

recollection

understanding

inspection

mercy

to make ashamed



9th Staircase

courage

breadth

meaning

respect

to honor

silence

freedom

belief

gratitude

regard

to admire



Translated by Frizztext

Artwork and Photography by Horst Glaesker