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Home Home and Family Holidays The Spanish Steps - A Must-See Attraction When In Rome
The Spanish Steps - A Must-See Attraction When In Rome PDF Print E-mail
Written by Jill Kammer   
One of the most popular tourist attractions of Rome is a set of stairs built by the French, yet named the Spanish Steps. Now, some might wonder how they can be a tourist attraction when they are "just steps", but that innocuous passage way between the Villa Medici & Piazza di Spagna is a marvellous journey in itself, regardless of the destination.
by JillKammer


One of the most popular tourist attractions of Rome is a set of stairs built by the French, yet named the Spanish Steps. Now, some might wonder how they can be a tourist attraction when they are "just steps", but that innocuous passage way between the Villa Medici & Piazza di Spagna is a marvellous journey in itself, regardless of the destination.

The 137 steps that make up the Scalinata di Spagna or the "Spanish Steps" were constructed between 1723 and 1725. They can be found not far from the Piazza di Spagna which is a plaza that is triangular in shape. The Piazza di Spagna is also one of the most popular tourist sites in Rome.

The steps that you will find here are scenic, winding, elegant and artistic in their own right and they connect some areas of the city of Rome that are the most popular and beautiful in Italy. But the steps themselves are an attraction worth paying attention to. While they are lovely any time of year, the springtime causes them to burst with color and aroma as the azaleas from nearby municipal greenhouses explode with life.

There is no better moment than to be on the Spanish Steps in Rome when the flowers are everywhere and summer is just around the corner. Now, Rome can get hot even into the early Autumn, so nearby the Spanish Steps are some of the finest Rome has to offer for shops, cafe's, boutiques and a huge variety of restaurants. In fact, there is a long tradition for locals and tourists alike to bring a light lunch to the steps and sit on a step and enjoy the day while taking in the atmosphere with your meal. And while "officially" such activities are illegal, custom often wins out over legalities and you can still get away with it.

When you reach the bottom of the stairs you will find another of the many great outdoor art pieces by Bernini called the La Barcaccia Fountain or the Fountain of the Old Boat. The ship that is the centerpiece of this stunning fountain might have been designed by Bernini's own son whose name was Gian Lorenzo. This wonderful fountain was built in 1627 under the commission of Pope Urbano VIII Barberini. The water from this fanciful fountain literally pours from the artistic "leaks" in the hull of the ship.

In addition to admiring the steps themselves and this delightful fountain, you can also take in the Memorial House to Keats and Shelly. After that fascinating stop, you can relax with a nice cool drink from the many bars that dot the city in that area and then climb the steps again on your return.

Don't worry about getting weary on your climb because the designers placed three rest areas with plenty of flat space for you to relax, do some shopping, have a beverage or a snack and recuperate before resuming your climb. When you successfully climb all of the steps, look back on a gorgeous view and then it is on to the Church of Trinta dei Monti.

The formal name of this lovely church is the Santissima Trinita al Monte Pincio. The initial design and construction of this church dates back to 1502 and it took almost 200 years to complete the work. The Gothic style is distinctive, as is the neo-classical facade that you first encounter when you come off of the steps. The love affair that many Roman designers had with Egyptian style art work that dates back to the third century is evident in the obelisk outside the church.

Just a short walk way is a well known spot known as the Via Veneto. This location became known in the 1950s as a place where a young girl could get pinched by a flirtatious Italian boy. While that kind of forward behaviour has calmed down in modern times, it is still a great area of Rome to shop, dine and enjoy the marvellous architecture all around you.

Don't miss out on the chance to see and experience the Spanish Steps during your next trip to Rome. Even though these Italian steps were created by the French, the name dates back to the 18th century when the Spanish Embassy stood near by. And while the embassy is gone, the international feel of the Spanish Steps continues on to this day.

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Rome's Magnificent Colosseum is an incredibly popular tourist attraction in Rome. Here's a little history about the Colosseum, what you can expect when you see it, and some tips on finding accommodation close by.

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