Last changes: June 12, 2018

This place in Rome is surrounded by special romance. Everyone who visits the Eternal City is sure to rush to see with their own eyes and sit at least for a minute on the three-hundred-year-old steps of this masterpiece of architecture, demonstrating all the beauty of the Italian Baroque. Spanish steps is the same symbol of the city as or, but it is a special landmark of Rome. Having its own history, marked by ambitious confrontation between the monarchs ruling in past centuries, it was almost not restored until the end of the 20th century, and therefore has been preserved to this day almost in its original form.

Conducted in 1995 and 2015-16 renovation work this majestic world heritage, consisting of a cascade of polished travertine steps directed upward to the Pincio hill.

Spanish Steps in Rome

Why are the steps called Spanish?

Many guidebooks to Rome assure anyone ascending the stairs that they are on the Scalinata di Trinita dei Monti, which is the official name of the famous steps. However, the term Spanish steps leads travelers to a much greater romantic thrill, evoking associations associated not only with pleasant memories of Eternal City, but also with some pages of history.

Spanish Steps and Church of St. Trinity

The idea of ​​​​building a staircase belongs to the Frenchman Etienne Goffier, who was far from knowledge of urban construction and architecture, but knew all the intricacies of diplomacy. While in the service of the King of France Louis XIV As his plenipotentiary representative in Rome, the diplomat advised the monarch to unite the low part of the base of the hill with the Church of the Holy Trinity located on its top. To understand what prompted such a proposal, you should delve a little deeper into history.

The fact is that the church crowning Pincho Hill, built between 1502 and 1519 by the French king Louis XII, had the titular status of a Christian temple, which affirmed the presence of France on papal territory. Being the stronghold of the royal family of Louis in Rome, the Church of Santa Trinita dei Monti united under its arches numerous French people living far from their homeland.

Church of St. Trinity on the Hill. Rome. 1632 Work by Claude Lorrain (1600 - 1682)

Since 1620, at the foot of the hill, in the palace of Giovanni Monaldeschi, a representative office of the Spanish kingdom settled, which later gave the name to the square in front of it. At that time, the prevailing dominance of France in Europe in a negative way affected the relations between the two states involved in constant wars for spheres of influence. Even the marriage of the daughter of the Spanish King Philip IV, Maria Theresa of Austria, with Louis XIV, who suspended Franco - spanish war 1635-1659 only for a short time. But as soon as the Spanish monarch left this world, Louis resumed expansion, declaring part of the Spanish lands in the Netherlands his fiefdom.

The French diplomat Etienne Goffier tried to reduce tension between the states by proposing to his king to unite the representations of both monarchies in Rome with a kindred “ladder of friendship.” Not hoping for a quick implementation of the project, during his lifetime he left a will, which spelled out quite large sum for construction. However, even the powers that be of the three states, inspired by this, could not immediately agree on what this symbol of Franco-Spanish friendship should be. French demands for a hilltop statue of Louis XIV riding a stallion were rejected by the pontiff. He rightly considered that a monument to a foreign king should not decorate Rome. Thus, the wish of the French diplomat was postponed until the death of the monarch, who died in 1715.

Plaza de España. Rome. Work by Gianbattista Piranesi(1720-1778)

The basic design of the Spanish Steps was developed by the architect Alessandro Specchi and, after much discussion, was supplemented by his colleague Francesco De Sanctis, who gave it the very aristocracy and luxury of the Italian Baroque that we see today. Tactfully combining in decorative design balustrades, lily flowers (heraldic symbols of the Bourbon dynasty) with an eagle and the crown of the Pope, the architects finally stopped many years of bickering. Work began in 1721 on behalf of Cardinal de Tencin and with the support of French funding. Solemn The opening of the Spanish Steps was timed to coincide with the Jubilee year 1725. It happened at direct participation Pope Benedict XIII.

Spanish Steps photographed by Giacomo Brogi (1822-1881)

Since then, the staircase, originating from Piazza di Spagna, has received its second, most beloved name.

Around the travertine steps of the Spanish Steps

There is no doubt that Plaza de España received the status of one of the most famous and beautiful squares thanks to the Spanish Steps. Talented creators gave it unusually elegant forms. By extending the steps at the base of the plaza, the architects achieved a stunning visual impact by adding perspective to their design. Dividing into two arms through several upper flights, the Spanish Steps describe an oval in front of the façade of the Church of Santa Trinita dei Monti, emphasizing the beauty and majesty of the temple that crowns it.

Spanish Steps. 1938

This is exactly what the name of the titular title sounds like in translation. catholic church, located above Spanish steps. Being one of the five French-speaking churches in Rome, services are still held here today. French. Built in the period 1502-1519 in gothic style, a new facade was added to it in the middle of the 16th century. Covering the old part of the building, it was decorated with two symmetrical towers designed by Giacomo della Porta and Carlo Moderna. The temple was consecrated by Pope Sixtus V in 1585.

Church of the Holy Trinity on Pincio Hill

Inside the walls are decorated with a cycle of frescoes from the history of St. John the Baptist by Giovanni Battista Naldini. Here you can also see Daniele da Volterra’s masterpiece “The Descent from the Cross”.

In front of the temple at the end of the eighteenth century, Pope Pius VI installed the Obelisk of Sallustiano, imitating the ancient Egyptian one. It was the second to last of the great obelisks erected in papal Rome.

Obelisk of Sallustiano

The observation deck at the top of the hill provides an opportunity to enjoy the view from above of Plaza de España and the surrounding streets.

Observation deck of the Spanish Steps

Via dei Condotti

The name of one of oldest streets Rome, located opposite the Spanish Steps, comes from the pipelines laid here under Pope Gregory XIII (Italian: condutture). They supplied water to the fountains from the nearby Aqua Virgo aqueduct, built under Emperor Agrippa in 19 AD. BC. Over time, the name was transformed into the current one, and the street itself today is one of the most luxurious shopping streets in Rome. It houses boutiques of many famous brands - Dior, Gucci, Valentino, Dolce e Gabbana, Bulgari and many others.

View of Condotti street

Barcaccia Fountain

At the very foot of the Spanish Steps there is another, no less famous landmark of Rome - a luxurious fountain in the form of a half-sunken boat. It is a kind of memorial in memory of the tragic flood of 1598, as a result of which many city residents suffered. The project was designed by Pietro Bernini by order of Pope Urban VIII and carried out by the talented architect together with his son in 1629.

Barcaccia Fountain

Entering Piazza di Spagna from Via Condotti towards the Barcaccia Fountain, you can see with your own eyes that Spanish steps with the church towering above it, it forms a uniquely beautiful composition, which numerous tourists immediately strive to visually record. However, not everyone knows that to the left and right of the steps going up, there are two houses that historically connect Rome with the subjects of Great Britain.

Keats and Shelley House Museum

Today, the building located to the right of the stairs houses two famous English poets who lived here previously. Concerned citizens of England and Italy have collected a whole collection of rarities, one way or another connected with their life and work, which is not even in the National British Library.

John Keats and Shelley House Museum

Babington's Tea Room

Opened by Anna Maria Babington and her friend Isabel Cargill over 120 years ago, the English tearoom still retains the quaint atmosphere of a bygone era. In addition to tourists and regulars, it is always visited by diplomats, politicians, artists and other eminent persons arriving in Rome. As before, more than 50 varieties of tea, collected from different parts of the world, are served here. Located Babington tea room right side Spanish Steps, if you look at the hill from below.

Babington's Tea Room

Did you know that:

• next to the stairs, in one of the houses overlooking Piazza di Spagna, Giuseppe Balsamo once lived, who called himself Count Cagliostro... The famous alchemist and esotericist, and perhaps just a swindler, was arrested on the steps of the Spanish Steps. He was sentenced to life imprisonment Catholic Church Rome on charges of heresy and imprisoned in the fortress of San Leo;
• for many filmmakers Spanish steps is one of the best... The most striking example of this can be considered the film “Roman Holiday” by William Wyler with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck;

Still from the movie "Roman Holiday" 1953

• at the top of the Pincho hill, where the steps of the Spanish Steps lead, next to the church there is the five-star Hassler Hotel... Its president, owner and managing director is Roberto Wirth, a famous Swiss hotelier in the fifth (!) generation;
• the steps of the Spanish Steps have more than once become a catwalk in the world of high fashion... Many world-famous couturiers - Valentino, Gucci, Dolce e Gabbana, as well as famous trading houses hold shows of their new collections here, staging colorful shows;
• in the spring the Spanish Steps bloom... Every year, usually on April 21, the day of the founding of Rome, its steps and balustrade are decorated with armfuls of open buds of azaleas and petunias, which creates an enchanting riot of colors under the unusually blue Roman sky;
• in December, on the day Catholic Christmas, in the space between the spans of the Spanish Steps they arrange a nativity scene, reproducing scenes of the birth of Christ...

Spanish steps in spring

In conclusion, I would like to add that the Spanish Steps are not the only one. If in former times he ruled the whole world, today Rome is the ruler of our hearts and desires to touch the beautiful.

Spanish Steps - video

Where is the Spanish Steps located?

How to get to the Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps are located in the historical center of Rome in the Piazza di Spagna. The easiest way to get to the Spanish Steps is by metro line A, arriving at the Spagna station.

Spanish Steps - a landmark of Rome and a world heritage site

The Spanish Steps are an unusual architectural wonder, one of those places that are recommended to visit in Rome. A cascade of polished stone steps descends majestically from the top of the Pincio hill straight to the foot of the Spanish Square (Piazza di Spagna).

This is one of the unique business cards Rome. Wide baroque steps attract guests to the Italian capital and serve as a source of inspiration for filmmakers and artists.

Famous fashion houses: Dolce & Gabbana, Bulgari, Dior chose to place their stores a stone's throw from such a grandiose place.

Having admired the shine of the smooth travertine steps, travelers will probably become interested in the past of the Spanish Steps.

The most interesting fact from the biography of the attraction is its real name: “Staircase to the Temple of Trinità dei Monti” (Italian: Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti).

The mysterious “Spanish Flu” actually has a very controversial history, built on the confrontation between Spanish and French ambitions in Italy.

The titular church of Trinita dei Monti, rising on the Pincio hill, was built in the 16th century through the efforts of King Louis XII. The temple became a stronghold of the French monarchy in Rome. He had great importance for French subjects living far from their homeland. At the same time, the Spanish Square, located at the foot of the Pincio hill, had no lower value for the Spaniards, since the Spanish Embassy was located on it.

Louis XIV was related to the Spanish monarchs, being married to the king's daughter, Maria Teresa of Austria. Despite this, relations between the states were quite tense. To remedy the current situation, French political figure Etienne Geffier decided to connect the Trinita dei Monti temple and the Spanish Square with a staircase. To implement such a symbolic idea in Rome, Geffier allocated funding in the amount of 20 thousand Italian crowns.

Construction

According to the original plan, the Spanish Steps should have turned into a grandiose and incredibly pretentious architectural ensemble. The most controversial aspect of the French idea is the equestrian statue of Louis XIV that crowns the building. The Roman authorities considered themselves offended and vetoed the construction. Only in 1717 was a competition among architects held. It was won by the creative tandem of Alessandro Specchi and Francesco de Sanctis. The implementation of the architectural project began already in 1723, having spent considerable time planning the land of the hill, strengthening the area and carrying out other preparatory work.

For two years, workers and builders labored over the construction of 138 steps carved from travertine.

As a result, the Spanish Steps received a wide central segment, framed by two narrower ones. Closer to the top of the hill there is a Observation deck, which can be reached via two crescent side flights. On the sides, the steps were limited by stone sides in the Italian Baroque style. For decoration, the architects diplomatically used the heraldic symbols of the French Bourbon dynasty, as well as the image of an eagle and a crown - attributes of papal power in Rome.

Modern look

From the time construction was completed in 1725 until the 90s of the 20th century, the Spanish Steps did not experience any serious construction interventions. However, there is little romance left in the dilapidated steps, stones eaten away by time and rain. City authorities found funds to restore the historical and architectural monument. In 1997, the refreshed attraction returned to the map of tourist routes. Once again, large streams of travelers flocked to the most beautiful staircase in Europe located in Rome.

With the arrival of spring, flowerpots with blooming azaleas and petunias color the staircase in bright colors. In winter, the wide steps turn into a stage for Christmas scenes. The Trinita dei Monti church serves as a beautiful setting for the view of the Spanish Steps.

However, its interior decoration is also of considerable interest. Most famous exhibit temple - the sculptural group “Descent from the Cross”, made by a student of Daniele de Volterra (Italian: Daniele da Volterra).

A leisurely walk up the steps will give guests of the city a wonderful view of the Spanish Square and the streets adjacent to it. The building standing at the foot of the stairs on the right is a house museum, dedicated to creativity English romantic poets John Keats and Mary Shelley. They say that young Keats enthusiastically read his works to the already accomplished woman and poet Shelley, walking along the stone steps.

Also, the Spanish Steps allow you to look down on (Italian: Barcaccia), which adorns the Spanish Square. The fountain was made by the famous Italian sculptor Pietro Bernini (father) in early XVII century. There is a legend that the once overflowing waters of the Tiber washed up the remains of a fishing boat on the Italian shore. It was this plot that the master embodied in stone.

No matter how loud it may sound, the Spanish Steps in Rome have their own filmography. Refined Audrey Hepburn in the 1953 melodrama “Roman Holiday” enjoyed ice cream while sitting on the famous steps.

Many Italian films cannot do without views of the capital, including shots from Pincio Hill. Notable in the list of achievements of the staircase are the fashion shows of maestro Valentino, fashion parties from Dolce & Gabbana and others. entertainment events from the world of high fashion.

How to get there

Looking at the “registration” column of our Spanish woman, you can see the address: 00187, Italy, Rome, Stairs to Trinità dei Monti (Italian 00187, Italy, Rome, Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti)

↘️🇮🇹 USEFUL ARTICLES AND SITES 🇮🇹↙️ SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS

Rome is a city where anyone can feel like a part of world history. To do this, just go for a walk through the historical center. A striking example The historical miracle of the Eternal City is the famous Spanish Steps. Its 138 travertine steps begin at the Spanish Square, where the ugly boat (Barcaccia) fountain from the 17th century is located, and end at the French church of Santa Trinita dei Monti from the 16th century, at the entrance of which there is a monument to ancient Egyptian civilization. To the right and left of the stairs are a nineteenth-century English tea shop and a museum of seventeenth-century British poets.

In the 18th century, the construction of the Spanish Steps was a confirmation of the friendship between two warring powers - Spain and France. In the 20th century, after the release of the film “Roman Holiday” (1953), the staircase became a symbol of equality for people with different financial means and simply a popular place for romantic dates.

The Spanish Steps are part of our

The complicated history of the Spanish Steps

At the end of the 15th century, by agreement between the Pope and the King of France, a small plot of land at the top of the Pincho hill passed into the latter's possession. The French king decides to use it to build a church near the Vatican.

At the beginning of the 17th century, Spain, which had long been at odds with the French, bought from the Pope part of the land at the bottom of Pincho Hill for the construction of a palace for its own embassy, ​​which appeared here several centuries ago. Since that time, the Trinita dei Monti church, owned by the French, has risen above the Spanish embassy. However, in those years, relations between the states were tense, and the thought of a staircase connecting these significant objects did not arise.

A new dynastic union in 1660 set the French and Spanish kingdoms on the path to peaceful coexistence. In honor of this event, the French diplomat Gueffier allocated funds for the construction of a staircase between the Piazza di Spagna and the Trinita dei Monti temple. The famous architect Giovanni Bernini (the same one who created the Triton Fountain) was involved in creating a symbol of friendship between states, but under his leadership the construction of the staircase never began. The fact is that Cardinal Mazarin of France introduced a requirement into the project that a monument to the King of France be erected in front of the stairs. The Pope did not agree to this demand on principle, and the project was suspended. In addition, disagreements between the two powers resumed again.

Completion of the Spanish Steps

The year 1714 went down in history as the end of a two-century confrontation between the French and Spanish kings. For this reason, the Spanish Steps project has regained its relevance. In 1717, the project was headed by Francesco de Sanctis, who gave new life sketches by Giovanni Bernini. After this there was another small war between the French and the Spanish. And finally, in 1725-1727, under the leadership of the architect de Sanctis, the Spanish Steps were erected.

They built a staircase from the traditional stone of the Eternal City - travertine, and decorated it with images of lilies (a symbol of the French monarchy) and an eagle with a crown (a symbol of the papacy). They decided not to erect a statue of the French king. Instead of the statue, sixty years after the construction of the staircase, the Obelisk of Sallust appeared - an imitation of an ancient Egyptian monument. It was transferred from a collection of artifacts belonging to the Roman scientist Sallust.

Staircase in Rome as a landmark

By popularity foreign tourists, The Spanish Steps takes an honorable second place among famous places Rome, free for visitors. The leader of the rating is the famous Trevi Fountain. You can always take the stairs, but to avoid crowds of tourists, it is better to come here early in the morning.

It is also crowded here because fashion shows and other events often take place on the steps. Often the stairs are turned into auditorium For concert performances in Plaza de España.

Admirers of English literature love to visit these places, as the memory of famous poet era of romanticism. John Keats lived for some time in the house next to the stairs, where he tried to defeat tuberculosis. Unfortunately, he could not overcome the illness, and the house became his last refuge. Today, a museum is opened in this building, the exhibitions of which are dedicated to the works of Keats and Shelley (another outstanding romantic poet from England, who lived for four years in Italy and died here).

To the left of the stairs is the popular English tea room Babington’s, where for more than one hundred and twenty years (more precisely, since 1893), they have been serving fifty varieties of tea. At the bottom of the stairs, the attention of tourists is attracted by one of the most beautiful fountains in Rome - Barcaccia. It was built at the beginning of the 17th century by the father of the architect Giovanni Bernini. The fountain is made in the form of a half-submerged boat, which, according to the creators, should remind the townspeople of the flood of 1598.

How to get to the Spanish Steps in Rome

To get to the famous stairs, it is not necessary to use a taxi; public transport is quite suitable. For example, by metro (line A) from Rome's main station (Termini) to the Spagna stop. If the weather is suitable for a walk, then the famous attraction can be reached on foot along Via Condotti or from the Trevi Fountain along Via Sistina, turning onto it from Via Francesco Crispi.

This time we will visit Rome on the 138 steps of delight, that is, on the Spanish Steps. Spanish? So we're going to Rome. Let's figure out what and how.

Where is the Spanish Steps located?

This unusual staircase is located in the Eternal City of Rome. Tourists from all over the world come here to see the famous Delight Steps.

It has 138 steps. They lead to Pincho Hill.

Probably everyone associates this place with success. Yes Yes. Precisely success. After all, 138 steps are not so easy to overcome. Just like achieving success.

And now we will tell you the history of these unusual steps in Rome!

History of the construction of the Spanish Steps in Rome

The steps are a consequence of disputes between the Spaniards and the French. And everything was like this: the Spaniards “were the owners” of the Palazzo di Spagna, and the French were the owners of the Trinita dei Monti church, on which Pincio Hill was located. Therefore, Etienne Geffier decided that it was necessary to connect these “two points” with a ladder. And he allocated about 20,000 crowns for the construction of a unifying route.

After much debate, a competition was finally held in 1717 to design the Grand Staircase. However, even after this, the disputes did not stop. The idea lay “dead weight” until 1723.

Finally, by 1723, the architect Francesco de Sanctis took up the work. Thus, by 1725 construction was completed. And in Rome 138 steps of delight and success appeared.

Barcaccia Fountain

On the Spanish square itself there is an amazing and ingenious Barcaccia fountain. It resembles a large, half-submerged boat. And not an ordinary boat, but a boat with a touch of modernism. The designer and creator of such a masterpiece was Pietro Bernini.

The fountain is so perfect that easily flowing water turns into “enchanted” living water, which only positively affects the mood of everyone who is nearby.

Spanish Steps in Rome today

In a word, the Spanish Steps are a real “staircase” fairy tale. It combines both historical and architectural values.

It is popular these days. Everyone wants to come here and just take a walk.

For some, this place is a symbol of success, for others it is a place where desires come true, for others it is simply a great historical monument. That is, everyone here will find something of their own, unusual.

By the way, the great arch of Defense and the city of Aspendos are similar in idea and age to our staircase, isn’t it?

Travel the world and enjoy the beauty of the world's corners with us.

Where is the Spanish Steps on the map

Perhaps the 138 steps of delight can be safely called a favorite place for tourists and local residents.

Spanish steps, Spanish steps- an 18th-century staircase in Rome, an architectural monument of the Baroque style and simply a popular attraction in the historical part of the city.

The staircase has unusual story its appearance, which is even reflected in its name, but today it is, first of all, a tourist attraction and a place for parties and recreation. It is also impossible not to mention another role of the Spanish Steps - a classic place for making dates.

Story

The background of the history of the creation of the Spanish Steps in Rome lies the complex political relationships in Europe during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Rome in the 17th-18th centuries was the capital of the Papal States - a sovereign monarchical state, but rather weak both militarily and politically. Because of this, the Papal States were strongly influenced by neighboring states, primarily France, and were de facto dependent.

Now we can talk about the events that are associated with the appearance of the stairs. It all started long before its construction - on Pincio Hill, by order and with the money of the French king, the Trinita dei Monti church was built (completed in 1585), which became the center of the “French reservation”. At the same time, at the foot of the hill, a similar “Spanish reservation” was formed around the Spanish Embassy on Spanish Square.

“Staircase to Trinita dei Monti” (Scalinata di Trinita dei Monti) is the dry official name of the attraction, which retains an echo of that political conflict. And the “Spanish Steps” is a popular name.

Initially, the top of the hill was not connected to this part of the foot, which was not very convenient, and even before the completion of the church there were plans to create a stone staircase. But an unusual event happened - the French diplomat Goffier, who died in the middle of the 17th century, bequeathed huge funds for a specific purpose - the construction of a luxurious staircase in this place. This fact should have pleased Pope Clement XI, as it allowed him to save public funds, but Cardinal Mazarin, the de facto ruler of France, intervened in the matter.

The cardinal, having learned about the diplomat's will, demanded that a huge equestrian statue of the King of France, Louis XIV, be installed at the top of the future Spanish Steps. The Pope could not tolerate such a blow to his own reputation and construction did not begin, and then Goffier’s nephew protested the will, which delayed the implementation of the project for half a century.

Construction of stairs

But to be more precise, the idea of ​​​​building a staircase (and, probably, the desire to use the diplomat’s money) was returned after the death of Louis XIV. In 1717, a competition was already organized, which was won by the papal architect Alessandro Specchi, but construction began only in 1723 and according to a different project. The French monks from the church, who were in charge of the budget, chose as the basis another project from the young Francesco Sanctis, who, however, had to work in collaboration with Specchi.

The statue of the French king was nevertheless abandoned, but all royal ambitions were satisfied - the staircase is decorated with both the coats of arms of the dynasty of French kings and symbols of papal power.

The construction of the Spanish Steps was completed in 1725; it formed a single architectural ensemble consisting of a French church, the stairs themselves, and a square with the Barcaccia fountain. Today, this small piece of Rome is one of the city's most popular attractions, just behind the Colosseum, the Vatican and the nearby Trevi Fountain.

Since the completion of construction, the staircase has been restored many times, most extensively in 1995. Original appearance completely preserved, only the effects of natural wear and tear were corrected. New reconstruction began in the summer of 2016.

Spanish Steps as a landmark

In Rome, with its abundance of attractions, it is still possible to highlight several main ones, and the Spanish Steps will definitely be among them. One can even assume that if not for the Colosseum, then this particular staircase could have become an unofficial symbol of the city of Rome.

Every year, up to 5 million people visit the Spanish Steps and Plaza de España, according to city authorities. Interestingly, these attractions are completely free for tourists.

Free, except for the voluntary throwing of coins into the Barcaccia Fountain at the foot of the Spanish Steps. According to rumors, up to 700 thousand euros per year are officially caught from it.

Scene from cult film"Roman holiday"

Films played an important role in the popularity of the staircase, primarily “Roman Holiday” (1935) with Audrey Hepburn. The film, which later became a classic, contains whole line scenes filmed on the Spanish Steps and, probably, it was he who gave the main impetus for the popularity of the attraction, which today is included in all guidebooks and excursion routes.

The staircase is also considered a traditional place for making meetings and dates, but today this is not very convenient, since at any time of the day there are great amount tourists.

Attractions near the stairs

But such high tourist popularity is also influenced by the location of the Spanish Steps in the historical center of Rome. Even around the stairs there are many attractions, and almost half of the important places in the Italian capital are simply within walking distance.

Borcaccia Fountain and Spanish Square at the foot of the stairs

As already mentioned, the staircase enters into the architectural complex of the square where the fountain is located and the top of the hill where the church is located. On the square itself, in addition to the fountain, there is a house-museum of the artist Giorgio de Chirico, and the building to the right of the stairs, if you look at it while standing at the foot, is the Keats and Shelley Museum.

At the top of the hill, just 200 meters up the street from the church, is the Villa Medici, which in turn is located on the edge of the Villa Borghese park.

Shoppers will also enjoy the Spanish Steps. You don’t even have to go anywhere - the districts with boutiques start in the west, Dolce Gabanna, Chanel and several other stores directly overlook the square, and walking along the pedestrian alleys deeper into the block you can find other boutiques of almost all world and Italian brands.

Boutiques on the first floors of houses adjacent to the square

After walking about 250-300 meters through the quarter with boutiques to the west of the Spanish Steps, you can find yourself on Corso Street, where the Altar of Peace is immediately located, several churches and the Tiber flows a little further. The total distance from the river bank to Plaza de España is 600 meters. And in the south, about 700 meters away, is the most famous Roman fountain - Trevi.

Within walking distance of the Spanish Steps there are many theaters, museums, galleries and simply pleasant streets of “classical Italy” that you can stroll along. It's quite a long walk to get to other major attractions, but the journey by public transport won't take much time. So from here the Colosseum is only 2 kilometers to the south, to the Vatican is also 2 km, but to the west.

How to get there

The Spanish Steps are located near Piazza di Spagna, the nearest stop is Spagna. The easiest way to get there is by metro, line A (orange) or by bus route 117. Many transport routes converge on Piazza del Popolo, you will have to walk about 600 meters from it to the stairs.

Spanish Steps on the map

Tourist information

Photo