The Famous Spanish Steps - A Romantic Charming Rome Attraction

Posted by Jill Kammer

One of the most popular tourist attractions of Rome is a set of stairs built by the French, yet named the Spanish Steps. Now, some might wonder how they can be a tourist attraction when they are “just steps”, but that innocuous passage way between the Villa Medici & Piazza di Spagna is a marvellous journey in itself, regardless of the destination.

The Spanish Steps or as they are otherwise known, the Scalinata di Spagna, are 137 steps that were built between 1723 and 1725. They can be found near a outdoor plaza that is triangular in shape called the Piazza di Spagna which itself is one of the most popular tourist sites in 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.

In springtime the Spanish Steps come to life with flowers and people out enjoying the warm weather, knowing that it is soon to turn into a Roman summertime. Rome is capable of hot weather even into the fall. Near the steps there are elegant boutiques and a wide variety of shops, cafe’s and delightful restaurants to sample. While Roman law forbids it now, tourists and locals alike used to love to get a light lunch and sit on the steps to soak up the atmosphere. But even with the rules, Romans know that the law is often not followed to the letter and you can still enjoy this tradition if you do as Romans do when in Rome.

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.

Enjoying a great work of outdoor art may put you in a literary mood so you can enjoy the Keats-Shelly Memorial House while you are there. After seeing two enjoyable sights, you may wish to partake in a cool beverage before you start your climb up the Spanish Steps.

The steps are not designed to be an athletic challenge so there are three big flattened parts of the steps where you can take a breather to catch your breath and maybe have a bite to eat, do some souvenir shopping or just enjoy being among the Italian locals as a wonderful moment in your day. But when you do finish your climb of the Spanish Steps, make sure you turn and gaze back at where you have been. The view is breath taking and it will inspire you as you move on to reverently admire 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.

Just a short walk way is a well known spot known as the Via Veneto. This location became known in the 1950s as a place where a young girl could get pinched by a flirtatious Italian boy. While that kind of forward behaviour has calmed down in modern times, it is still a great area of Rome to shop, dine and enjoy the marvellous 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.

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