Rome - Spanish Steps

(Local Name: Piazza di Spagna and Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti) The Piazza di Spagna, a large irregularly shaped square named after the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, which was established here in the 17th century, is one of Rome's most typical squares and a special attraction for every visitor.

The feature which first catches the tourist's eye is the elegant Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti or Spanish Steps, constructed by Francesco de Sanctis in 1723-25 in a bewildering pattern of steps and landings, now wider and now narrower, now turning this way and now that, with a terrace on which to rest and enjoy the view half-way up. The steps were paid for by the French ambassador, Gueffier - hence the fleurs-de-lis which can be seen here and there.