Filed under: architecture, attraction, featuredarticle2, monument, Restaurants, top-feature
The Spanish Steps in Rome
One of Rome’s most majestic Baroque style monuments, the Spanish Steps (map), or Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti in Italian, connect the lower Piazza di Spagna and the upper Piazza Trinità dei Monti. The Spanish Steps are a must-see attraction for visitors to Rome and an ideal place to spend a romantic evening or simply relax in between browsing the designer shops and boutiques that line the piazza. You’re unlikely to ever have the steps entirely to yourself, but consider the crowds part of the attraction.
The Spanish Steps were designed in 1723 by Francesco De Sanctis. Consisting of 138 steps, twelve flights and a mix of curves, vistas and terraces, it’s the longest and widest staircase in Europe. The staircase was built in an effort to connect the Vatican with the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, and the monument gets its name from Spanish embassy which is still located in the piazza.
There are several attractions worth visiting in the lower Piazza di Spagna. In the center of the piazza the Early Baroque Fountain of the Old Boat, or Fontana della Barcaccia in Italian, was built between 1627 and 1629. The fountain’s design, resembling that of a boat, is believed to have been inspired by the flooding of the Tiber River in 1598. According to legend, the flood left a small boat stranded in the spot where the fountain stands today.
To the right of the staircase near its base you’ll find the house where English poet John Keats lived and later died in 1821. Today the home has been converted into the Keats-Shelley Memorial House (map), a small museum in his memory. The museum contains an extensive collection of works that celebrate the lives of Keats, Percy Bysshe Shelley and Lord Byron. The museum, located at Piazza di Spagna 26, also contains one of the finest libraries of Romantic literature in the world. (Open 10 am-1 pm and 2-6 pm Monday-Friday and 11 am-2 pm and 3-6 pm on Saturday).
At the top of the Spanish Steps the Piazza Trinitá dei Monti and the 16th century church of the Trinitá dei Monti (map) offer nice views overlooking the city of Rome. Some of the city’s best views can be had from the nearby Villa Medici (map). Located in the Villa Medici, the French Academy hosts regular art exhibitions. Weekend guided tours of the gardens are available from March to late May and from September to late October.
Throughout the year the Spanish Steps serve as the backdrop for numerous displays and events that take place in the city of Rome including a nativity scene during the holiday season, a fashion show in the summer and frequent open-air flower markets. In the spring the steps are covered in elaborate flower displays. The staircase is especially attractive during the month of May when it is blanketed in azaleas.
The Spanish Steps are a perfect place to sit and observe all the action in the piazza. Throughout the day and into the evening the staircase is crowded with locals and tourists. Interestingly, one thing you won’t notice is people sitting down and snacking. Roman law, in an attempt to keep the area clean, prohibits eating on the Spanish Steps. The steps are also a favorite spot for flower vendors, trinket sellers and pickpockets. Keep a close eye on your belongings and you shouldn’t have any problems.
While you’re in the area be sure to take a stroll along the narrow cobblestone streets surrounding the piazza. This is one of the ritziest areas of the city and is known for high-end shops and designer boutiques. Take time to browse the storefronts along Via Condotti, a narrow strip of shops that leads into the piazza, and admire the latest fashions. There are numerous restaurants, bars and cafes in the area, many with lovely outdoor seating along the piazza; however they tend to charge more than similar establishments in other areas of the city.
Located at the base of the staircase at Piazza di Spagna 23, Babington’s Tea Room and Restaurant (map) was established in 1893 by two English ladies. Today it remains a family run business serving the best international teas and pastries. The late 19th-century interiors of the tea room and restaurant help to maintain the style and atmosphere of the period. If you’re short on time, you can browse a variety of packaged teas and accessories in the adjoining tea shop. (Open daily 9 am-8:15 pm).
Perhaps the oldest and best known café in Rome, the Antico Caffe Greco (map), first opened its doors in 1760. Today it remains a popular gathering place among writers, politicians and artists. Its central location at Via Condotti 86 and elegant atmosphere make it a favorite among both locals and tourists.
The Bar D’Angelo (map) located at Via delle Croce 30 is another good place to stop for coffee or a quick snack. Situated halfway between Piazza del Popolo and Piazza di Spagna near Via Condotti, Bar D’Angelo is one of the most specialized pastry shops in Rome.
