The wide staircase with its sandstone steps and wrought iron bannisters is unusually elaborate for an 18th-century Frankfurt townhouse. 

The four lower steps differ markedly from those above. These steps were salvaged from the rubble of the house after it was destroyed in the Second World War on 22 March, 1944 – on the anniversary of Goethe’s death. Fortunately, the entire interior furnishings had previously been brought to safety. After the war the house was rebuilt true to the original until 1951.