Spanish Steps Rome
Spanish Steps is a great landmark and is definitely worth seeing. It is located within walking distance of other major Rome landmarks, such as the Fontana di Trevi, the Pantheon, and St. Peter’s Basilica.
The Spanish Steps was built in honor of a diplomatic visit by the king of Spain.
Architect Francesco de Sanctis designed the steps. Construction began in 1723 and was completed in 1725.
The staircase is divided by three landings and has beautiful flowers aligning the steps. The steps are abuzz with people talking, sitting and take some photos. I recommend grabbing a sandwich or gelato and eating it on the steps while you take in the amazing sights around you. The Spanish Steps gets crowded, but it is worth a quick stop at this iconic spot.
At the top of the Spanish Steps, you get a picturesque view of Rome in all its beauty. At the top of the staircase there is the glorious Trinitá dei Monti church. There are some lovely paintings inside and the view from out front is breathtaking.
Bernini “Fountain of the Old Boat” is situated in the Piazza di Spagna at the base of the magnificent Spanish Steps. The fountain was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII and was built by Pietro Bernini and his son. This beautiful fountain depicts an old boat and was brought forward by the area during the flood of the Tiber.
At the foot of the staircase is a house where the well-known English Romantic poet John Keats lived. The museum is dedicated to his memory. The Column of Immaculate Conception is also close by and honors dogmas of Christianity.
At the bottom of the steps there are horse and carriage rides available that will make it top this pleasant experience. The designer shops neighboring the Spanish Steps allows for some amazing window-shopping!
Please keep an eye out the scam artists in the area. These peddlers like to try and take advantage of women and couples by handing roses to them for “free”. Once they put the rose in your hand they then demand a payment. Other men will approach and try to engage you in friendly conversation. They will tie a “friendship” string around your wrist. And then when they are done make this bracelet they will demand of 20-25 euros. Just keep your hands in your pockets so they don’t have the opportunity to attempt the scams. Just tell them no and keep moving.
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Address: Via dei Condotti, Rome, Italy
The closest Metro stop is Spagna, which is right under the Spanish Steps.
Via del Corso, Piazza del Popolo and Trevi Fountain are all near the Spanish Steps, whereby Piazza del Popolo and Trevi Fountain run in opposite directions when walking from the Spanish steps. A little further away you can find the Pantheon which is about a 20 minute comfortable walk through the narrow streets of the city centre.
If you walk down Via del Corso and arrive at Piazza Venezia, it’ll take about 15 – 20 minutes if you don’t stop and look at the windows. From Piazza Venezia you can start visiting Vittorio Emanuel II Monument and many more attractions which are located in that area.
