Tourists Love The Spanish Steps - A Must See When In Rome
Contrary to what the name may imply, the famous Spanish Steps were actually built by the French. Regardless, visitors to Rome have been delighted by them for many year. Some feel they are “just stairs” from the Piazza di Spagna to the Villa Medici, but as any experienced traveller knows, often-times it’s not so much about the destination but about how you actually get there that truly matters.
The Scalinata di Spagna or the Spanish Steps, are 137 steps that were built between 1723 and 1725 near the famous Piazza di Spagna, which is a triangle shaped plaza that is a top destination for tourists who come to Rome.
The Spanish Steps themselves are elegant, artistic, dark and winding so your time on them will include moving through some of the most scenic and busy parts of Rome. The steps have their own beauty worth seeing. Any time of year there is something to see on the steps but in springtime, they are especially lovely as the azaleas in the municipal greenhouses explode with color.
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.
Near the lower entrance to the steps is another of the famous Bernini fountains called La Barcaccia or the Fountain of the Old Boat. This wonderful outdoor sculpture shows a sea faring vessel at the center of the fountain. There is reason to believe that the actual ship used in this fountain was designed by Bernini’s son, Gian Lorenzo. The water of the fountain “leaks” from open holes in this creative masterpiece that was commissioned by Pope Urbano VIII to be built by Bernini in 1627.
Not far from that delightful fountain, you can satisfy your literary side by touring the Keats-Shelly Memorial House. Then enjoy a refreshing beverage before taking on the gentle climb up the Spanish Steps.
Don’t worry too much about getting winded on the climb because the designers provided three resting areas of flat plateaus for you to rest, enjoy some shopping or a snack or just watch the locals and tourists stream by. Once you get to the top of the stairs, don’t rush on too quickly. Instead look back at the wonderful view of where you came from and the move on to enjoy the Church of Trinta dei Monti.
It took almost 200 years for this church, more formally known as the Santissima Trinita al Monte Pincio, to be built after construction got underway in 1502. The late Gothic style of the church makes it unique as does the neo-classical facade. The Roman fascination with Egyptian art is reflect by an obelisk that came to Rome in the third century that decorates the courtyard of the church.
If you are brave you may want to wander a few blocks to the well known Via Veneto but watch out, many an Italian girl has been flirted with and pinched in this neighborhood. While this pattern of behavior pretty much died out since the 1950s, it is still a fun part of Rome where you can continue to enjoy great food, beverages and shopping and admire the wonderful architecture all around you.
So put the Spanish Steps on your list of things you must see while in Rome. In that way you can say you walked on steps built by the French, named for a long gone Spanish Embassy and now an important part of your experience on your Roman holiday.