In the late fifteenth century the helical staircase appeared in Spain as a representative element of late Gothic architecture. To gain a better understanding of this staircase and to carry out a proper preservation plan, it is essential to deepen our understanding of its construction and structure. This involves getting to know its geometrical configuration in depth, since its structural stability was ensured by rules of proportions. For this reason, this paper focuses on two broad types of staircases, classified according to the geometrical design strategy that solves the central aperture: the helical staircase by ''radial solution'' and by ''tangent solution''. The paper analyzes both solutions on the basis of objective criteria. In addition, it considers whether the limited use of some of these solutions was motivated by their particular geometry or was caused by other reasons is addressed. As result of this study it is demonstrated that although the two approaches solve the helical staircase in a similar way, the oblivion of the tangent approach was more objectively motivated.

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