Spanish Steps, Rome Piazza di Spagna

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.

Picture - Piazza di Spagna joins Piazza Mignanelli, Rome.

Picture - Crowds on Spanish Steps in Rome.

Picture - The Immacola Column erected in 1854 in Piazza Spagna near the Spanish Steps in Rome.

Picture - The 18th century courtyard near the Spanish Steps in Rome.

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Transit: Metro: Piazza di Spagna (line A); Bus: 119.

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Trinità dei Monti

At the top of the steps is the French church of Trinità dei Monti, begun by Louis XII in 1502 and consecrated by Pope Sixtus V in 1585. It was restored after the Napoleonic occupation of Rome. The interior still preserves some of the original Gothic arches and contains an "Entombment" by Daniele da Volterra, a pupil of Michelangelo.

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Barcaccia Fountain

The fountain at the foot of the Spanish Steps, in the shape of a boat, is known at the "Barcaccia". It is said that Pietro Bernini, Gian Lorenzo's father, who created the fountain in 1627-29, got the idea when the Tiber overflowed its banks and a boat was stranded in the square.

Picture - Tourists near Fountain della Barcaccia Fountian in the Spanish Steps in Rome.

Via Condotti

From the Piazza di Spagna the Via Condotti leads south-west to the Corso. This is Rome's most fashionable shopping street, with the famous Caffè Greco, long frequented by artists, writers and musicians. Among its patrons have been Goethe, Gogol, Schopenhauer, Mendelssohn, Berlioz, Wagner and Liszt.

Picture - Piazza di Spagna and Via Condotti and night in Rome.

Via Dei Babuino

The Via Dei Babuino, from the Piazza di Spagna to the Piazza del Popolo, is a busy street with many art galleries and antique shops. Parallel to it, below the slopes of the Pincio, is the Via Margutta, the haunt of artists and intellectuals.