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The Spanish Steps -- that incredibly sweep of architecture, lifting you from the Piazza di Spagna up, up to the extraordinary silhouette of the twin towers of Trinita' dei Monti (Trinity of the Mountains) and one of the 12 Egyptian obelisks you'll find in Rome (plus one more in the Vatican).
A twist of fate and nomenclature that they are named the Spanish Steps. Actually, it was the French who built them, to ease the way up to the French Church. But the Spanish Embassy used to reside at the bottom, hence the Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps. I never tire of walking up or down the steps (really!). They are beautiful at all times of day, all weather, even a cold rainy evening in February. Notice the three wide landings - reflective of the church they ascend to.
At the bottom, the famous fountain, La Barcaccia -- translation, sort of an old, ugly or useless boat -- by Bernini, either the dad, the son, Gian Lorenzo, or both. See how it seems to be sinking? Brilliant use of available resources, as the aquifer which is the source for the fountain delivers very little water pressure -- so no chance of a showy spray like the Trevi. Note the coat of arms - The Pope's hat (or rather, the crown, I guess) and Barberini bee of Pope Urban VIII.
At the top of the steps you'll have a wonderful view, but you are just a few minutes away from an even more spectacular view from the Pincio Hill at a far corner of the Villa Borghese. As you are facing the church, turn left. As you approach the park, take the ramp up to the prominent overlook (overlooking Piazza del Popolo, but so much more!) Leave a Comment Directions: the northeast corner of the Historical Center of Rome
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See Rome and die. Wow! See the Piazza di Spagna and the Scalinata di Trinita dei Monti (Spanish Steps) in spring (May) and sigh. The blossoms (Azalea boxed plants) take over the steps from top to bottom. It is a sight to behold. Mother Nature showing off. A must see for all tourists, from the top of the steps, at the Church of Trinta dei Monti, the view is of Rome. Walk a little at the top to the right and back a couple of blocks and the Via Veneto (La dolce Vita fame) is before you to walk down. Straight in front of you, at the bottom of the steps is the Bernini fountain, Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat). Remember not to eat or drink on the steps themselves. It is against the law. Past the fountain of Bernini is one of the most expensive streets in all of Roma. Why? It is the boutique street of Roma. Designer labels fill the area on and around Via Condotti. The entire area is Bella. Leave a Comment Directions: foot of the Dei Condotti,in the Fashion District
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You will not believe this - all these huge azealia plants that lined the Spanish Steps were stolen (Wednesday, June 7, 2006) sometime between 3 and 5 a.m. - I was shocked -- my nephew who is Italian said it was a wonder they did not steal the steps!!
The Piazza was was under construction for awhile and now back in beautiful shape. They didn't get the Spanish steps decorated in time for Easter but here it is in full bloom in May and for Festa della Primavera (Spring Festival). We attended Mass there at Trinita dei Monti on Easter - hardly anyone there at Mass the throngs of people crowded St Peter's - the church facade is still undergoing rennovation. But, as of April 21 new azaelia plants covered the center and both right and left sides. Rome is showing her colors - lots of light rain and warm sunshine helped the season's greenery - so, spring has spung. Will keep this tip updated as we're there often.
Photos and reference text by permission of Roberto Piperno for non-commercial purposes only. Directions: Piazza Spagna - Rome Center
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One of the most characteristic piazze in Rome is Piazza di Spagna. In the center of that irregular and sublime piazza is Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat).
This fountain stands apart from all other fountains not because of its grandeur but because the lack of it. This unusually beautiful creation is the work of the famous team Bernini -- father Pietro and son Gian Lorenzo -- under the commission of Pope Urbano VIII Barberini in 1627. The design is a boat semi-submerged in a huge bathtub, with water gently flowing out through leaks. It's a brilliant solution to the problem of low pressure in the aqueduct Vergine, the feeding source of water to the fountain.
The sun and the bees on the bow and stern are the symbol and family crest of Pope Urbano. Leave a Comment
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Like the Colisseum and St. Peter's a trip to Rome is incomplete without seeing the Spanish Steps.
Early in the morning the steps are relatively empty which makes for a good photo op. Even better when it is raining slightly. Later in the day the steps are filled with Romans and tourists alike. Beware of the Rose vendors though. They are more like pests. Also the guys with polaroid cameras.
Beautiful at any time of the day, except L'Oreal is really spoiling it as they do some repairs on Trinita dei Monti.
Kill two birds with one stone, see the Spanish steps and piazza di spagna, then stroll right into Prada on Via Condotti Leave a Comment Directions: On linea A of the Metro turn left as you exit the metro.
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Piazza di Spagna is a triangular shaped piazza in the heart of Rome.
It is home to one of Rome's top tourist attractions - the Spanish Steps. This beautiful sweeping staircase dates back to 1723.
The steps are always covered with people, and at some times of the year it is also covered with flowers.
The view from the top of the steps looking down into the Piazza is excellent.
The Piazza is also home to a fountain designed by Bernini and plenty of tourists. Leave a Comment
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Spanish Steps: Ah to be rich. The Spanish steps is known for its shops; great shops. If you hunt hard (I mean really hard), you'll find bargains. This is the neighborhood of Cartier and Louis Vutton . Beautiful clothes (unique designs), beautiful jewelry, lots of people (ladies...guys on the steps will flirt with you).
Oh and of course, see the steps as well. :-) When you make it to the top of the stairs (it isn't like the steps of the Duomo in Florence where you need a medic by the time you get to the top), there is a church. A great place to stop and rest and if you are so inclined, pray. There are some interesting works of art in the chapel and the view is spectacular from the top. Leave a Comment
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This was the 4th time I was in Rome but the first time I saw the Spanish steps. First I bought two great pairs of earrings at the top, and I love earrings so that was cool. It was a beautiful day and people were hanging out on the steps everywhere. They are pretty, they are FREE, ok thats important when you are on a budget. I had read a warning tip on VT about the "old lady beggars" and I couldn't believe it. Kneeling about 1/2 down the steps was a head down praying, with a cup of course, begging old lady. Then she got up, took her cane, barely able to walk, let alone climb steps, and hobbled up the stairs with her cup held out. I looked at "her" hands and they looked like my 16 year olds and i looked at her feet under her long garb and they were tennis shoes. She had a scarf covering her face except for her eyes. If you couldn't walk would you really choose the Spanish steps as your preferred begging place? I really wanted "her" picture but I lost my nerve so here are the Spanish steps in general instead. Leave a Comment
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Again one of the most popular spots in Rome. The Spanish steps got it’s name in 1723 in honour of the Spanish Embassy, even if that wasn’t a popular decision for France. This because the steps, that leads up to the big church Trinita dei Monti, are financed by money from France…
It’s a very popular meeting-point for both roman and other people, which sometimes means that it’s too crowded. I for sure wouldn’t decide the Spanish steps as a meeting point with a friend, since it must be easier to not find the friend that actually find him/her there…
But I do advice you to go there, since it’s a really nice place, perfect for people-looking, some relaxing or to get a perfect view over Rome.
Just ran up all the steps – and you’ll probably be dead… Instead go up slowly, watching out for all tourists that are sitting everywhere, and then take a look at the view when you’re up at the top.
At the bottom of the steps is a huge piazza, wellknown for centuries for it’s luxury fashion-shops. Can’t say I’m that thrilled by their prices, but it could always be nice to just look around.
There is also a big fountain, Fontana della Barcaccia, which is monument of a leaking boat. Made by Pietro Bernini, or his son, the more famous Gianlorenzo (see more at Villa Borghese). The water in the fountain should be drinkable, but since I’ve never actually tried it (always buy bottles with water in Rome, the tapped water tastes… well, not so good… It should be safe to drink it from the fountain, even if I’m not sure though…
UPDATE december 2007: Much less people in the winter evening for some reason... :) Was a nice view over Rome from the top, but actually quite cold to stay there for a longer time.
The stairs aren't the impressive without all the flowers either, and my poor friends who visited Rome for the first time were heavily disappointed about the Spanish Step. Leave a Comment
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To be honest I was a little unimpressed by the Spanish Steps. The piazza was nice, the fountain beautiful, masses of people shopping and sightseeing... I even did the tourist thing and had a picture taken of my friend and I sitting on the steps, but it was still a bit disappointing.
I think the main reason for this, was that when I was at the foot of the steps, looking up at the Trinita dei Monti, it had a huge advertisement for 'Nike' on it - which really ruined it. Plus I had seen pictures of the steps, with beautiful green plants and colourful flowers on it - but there were none there when I went. It was still cool to be there on the Spanish Steps - but like I said, a little disappointing as well.
This piazza was named after the Spanish, because this is where the Spanish embassy was in the 17th Century. The square is very nice and picturesque with a fountain just in front of the Spanish Steps. The fountain is called 'Barcaccia', which means 'the boat' and was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the early 17th Century (This was to commemorate a flood of the Tiber that had reached up to this area in 1598).
If you love shops like Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi, Armani, Versace and Bulgari - then head straight to Piazza di Spagna as they are all in the immediate area! Just remember that this is high-fashion, so there are also extremely (and ridiculously) high prices! Leave a Comment
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