The Spanish Steps, or Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, are one of Rome’s most iconic landmarks. These elegant steps, built between 1723 and 1725, connect Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti Church.
Funded by French diplomat Étienne Gueffier, the staircase was named after the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, which is located nearby in Piazza di Spagna.
The steps were designed by Italian architect Francesco de Sanctis, who created a graceful Baroque-style staircase with 135 steps. They are arranged in a wide, sweeping curve, forming a majestic connection between the church above and the square below. Their design, with terraced landings and plenty of room for people to sit and admire the surroundings, has made them a popular meeting spot for locals and tourists alike. However, today strict regulations prevent visitors from sitting on the steps, and fines are issued to those who do. These measures are part of ongoing efforts to protect the site’s structure and maintain its beauty.
At the foot of the steps lies the Fontana della Barcaccia. Created by Pietro Bernini, father of sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the fountain, is in the shape of a sinking boat. It commemorates a major flood of the River Tiber in 1598, when a boat was swept into the square.
Spanish Steps as an Artistic Hub
The Spanish Steps have long been a cultural and artistic hub. The area attracted many writers and artists in the 19th century, including the English poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley. Their former residence, located to the right of the steps, is now the Keats-Shelley Memorial House.
The steps have also appeared in several famous films, including Roman Holiday, starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.
In 2015/6, the luxury Italian brand Bulgari funded a €1.5 million restoration of the Spanish Steps. The restoration project cleaned the marble and ensured the steps were in good condition.
The Spanish Steps remain a central point in Rome’s cultural and social life.
