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Spanish Steps (Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti)

Spanish Steps
Looking down from the Spanish Steps, Trinità dei Monti church to see where to climb. There are people selling Misanga sometimes in the middle of the stairs, just say "No!".

Spanish Steps
Keep climbing steadily among the people who are sitting on the stairs. A wonderful view from the top has a different taste.

Spanish Steps
The landscape on the right side from the Spanish Steps. Babuino street is just to the right. There are trendy shops, bars, and pizzerias. On the Marugutta street, the apartment of the newspaper reporter of "Roman Holiday" is located still now.

Spanish Steps
In the square in front of the stairs, you can see the Barcaccia Fountain and an entrance to the luxury Condotti street. On sunny days there are many people taking a rest around the fountain.

Spanish Steps
Trinità dei Monti Church at night on the steps. There are two French-style bell towers. There were two clocks showing the times of Rome and of Paris. Now there is only one clock. In front of the church, there is a square with an Obelisk. A night view of Rome from here is very nice.

Recommend: 5 stars

The Spanish Square is one of the most crowded places in Rome. Here you can see the boat-shaped fountain (Fontana della Barcaccia), the Spanish Steps used for the famous film "Roman Holiday", the French church at the top of the stairs (Trinita' dei Monti), 18th-century obelisk in front of the church, the luxury shopping street extending from the front of the square (Via Condotti). It is also a popular place among local people in Rome.


The most interesting spot is the Spanish Steps

The most interesting spot of the Spanish Square would be the biggest Spanish Steps. These steps have a real name, "Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti". It had been completed by a donation from a French diplomat in 1725. It's obvious that the nickname of Spanish Steps came from the Spanish embassy which had been here. But knowing the source of such costs, it would be better to call the French Steps? Flowing waves, a feature of the Baroque period has been incorporated into the dramatic design. It's quite large and divided into two ways in the middle. It's really an artistic style.

Let's overlook the whole Rome from the top of the steps

There are 135 steps to the top. You can enjoy views of the bottom taking a rest at the small square on the halfway. On the top, there are also fences from which you can overlook the whole view of the square. The views from these locations are the best. Especially, a sunset view of Rome will be unforgettable forever. Every year at the beginning of May, big pink azalea pots are arranged in the middle of the steps. Unfortunately now, it's prohibited to eat gelato on the steps like a scene of the film "Roman Holiday", for the protection of cultural heritage. Except on rainy days it's filled with a lot of people always. From the top you can admire St. Peter's Basilica far away. It's sure that you would be impressed by a lovely beauty of this town.

Sinking "Barcaccia" has a meaning

The Square below the Spanish Steps has the "Fountain of Barcaccia" built in 1627. As a fountain it has a strange and unusual shape, like a sinking ship. Therefore it had been named Barcaccia (small ship). It's said that the sculptor Pietro Bernini had been inspired by a scene of a floating ship by flooding on the river Tiber. His famous son, Gian Lorenzo Bernini had also helped the work of this fountain. The ship has a decoration of the bee, the symbol of the family Barberini.

On top of the steps, there is the French Church of Trinità dei Monti

On the top of the stairs, there is a France church, the church of Trinita' dei Monti (Chiesa della Trinita' dei Monti). This Gothic church had been completed in the late 16th century. At that time, between the Spanish Square and this church on the hill, there was a cliff separating the way. To resolve this inconvenience, France donated a grand staircase in 1725 hoping the peace between the Spain, which had had its embassy in this place, as well as France. The facade has a beautiful French design, simple and symmetrical. At that time, the two bell towers had each clock showing the time of Rome and the time of Paris. Now only the left one has remained. In front of the church there is a small square full of souvenir shops and portrait painters.

In front of the square, shopping area is following

The metro station Spagna on the line A is only 2 stations from the central Termini Station in Rome. In addition, the Spanish Square is surrounded by best known shopping venues. Therefore, many many people of Rome as well as tourists visit here every day. Via Condotti, one of the most luxury brand shops street, Via del Babuino and Via del Corso, where there are various popular shops etc. You can just enjoy window shopping alone. But it's considerable distance... Anyway, the Spanish Square's area has both a long history and a new fashion mode. It's full of lively people in the daytime and at night is illuminated by subdued lightings. It would be a representative place of amazing Rome for you.

Name Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Square)
Address Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Rome-ITALY
How to reach get off at Spagna metro station (line A)
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