Spanish Steps

SPANISH STEPS ROME
The Spanish Steps in Rome are a monumental stairway of 138 steps. These Spanish Steps were designed by Francesco De Sanctis following generations of heated discussions over how the steep slope to the church on a shoulder of the Pincio should be urbanized. The construction of the steps began in 1723 and were competed in 1725. The building of the Spanish Steps were funded by French diplomat Stefano Gueffier’s. They link together the Piazza di Spagna at the base of the steps and the church Trinità dei Monti at the top of the steps.

The Spanish Steps have had to be restored several times over the years and were most recently restored in 1995. In more recent years the Spanish Steps have been host to a small flower market, a place to pick up a gigolo and the best spot for eating lunch. The latter however has unfortunately now been banned with fines in place for anyone eating on the steps. Throughout May most of the steps are covered by beautiful flowerpots full of azalea plants. Whilst around Christmas time a ninth century crib is assembled on the first terrace of the steps.

The Piazza at the base of the Spanish steps is home to the Early Baroque fountain called the Barcaccia 'the ugly boat'. This fountain is often credited to Pietro Bernini who is the father of the famous Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

As you leave the Piazza di Spagna and start your ascent of the steps, you will see on your right the house where English poet John Keats lived and unfortunately died in 1821. It is now a wonderful little museum dedicated to John Keat's memory. It is full of memorabilia of the English Romantic generation. Further up on the same side of the steps you will see the fifteenth century former cardinal Cybo’s palace. It is a building with modern terraces perfectly in harmony with the surrounding baroque context. Continuing halfway up the steps on the right hand side is the apartment that was the setting for the 1961 film, The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone.