The Spanish Steps in Rome are one of the main symbols of the Eternal City. This Baroque staircase is the most beautiful in Europe. It includes 136 steps of different heights, which widen at the bottom and create a kind of beautiful "sleeves". Sitting on the steps of the Spanish Steps has become as necessary for tourists as throwing a coin into the Trevi Fountain. The famous staircase is located on the Spanish Square, in the "Field of Mars" area, that is, in the city center. The most expensive boutiques of world brands are presented here.
The Spanish Steps connect the lower part of the Pincio Hill with the Church of the Holy Trinity (Santa Trinita dei Monti) at its top. The church was built between 1502 and 1585. It houses a copy of the sculpture group called "Pieta" and the famous fresco "Descent from the Cross" by Daniele da Volterra.
In the 17th century, this church emphasized the presence of the French in the territory of the Pope (since it belonged to France) and was a stronghold for the French living in Rome. At the foot of the hill, in the palace of Giovanni Monaldeschi, the Spanish embassy was located. At that time, relations between France and Spain were not very good. The French diplomat Etienne Gueffier proposed to his monarch to build a staircase on the hill as a symbol of friendship between the two countries and allocated a significant amount of money in his will for the implementation of this idea. The implementation of this project was hampered by the fact that the French wanted to put a statue of Louis XIV at the top of the stairs, which the Pope, naturally, could not agree to.
In 1714, the king died. A competition was soon held, which was won by the Italian architects Alessandro Speci and Francesco de Sanctis. The stairs were built in 1723-1725. During construction, the symbol of the French Bourbons – lilies – and the symbols of the Pope – eagles and a crown – were carefully combined, which finally reconciled the supporters and opponents of this project.
In winter, the steps of the staircase are used for Christmas scenes, and in summer – for fashion shows.
Many people probably saw this staircase in the famous film “Roman Holiday” starring Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.
At the foot of the Spanish Steps is the famous fountain "Barcaccia" - a boat - (Fontana della Barcaccia). It was created by Pietro Bernini in 1627-1629. The fountain looks like a half-submerged boat, and the water around it creates an optical illusion of movement.
This shape of the boat is quite understandable: it reminds modern people of the flood that hit Rome at the end of the 16th century, in 1598. The fountain is supplied with water from the Aqua Virgo aqueduct.
Next to the Spanish Steps is a building notable for the fact that the famous English poet John Keats died here.
Next to the Borkacha Fountain is the magnificent Palace of the Propaganda Fide, which is the property of the Roman Church. In front of it, on a marble pedestal, stands the eleven-meter column of the Immaculate Conception, and on the right is the Spanish Embassy.
The Spanish Steps are where the shopping streets in the center of Rome begin. Here you will find boutiques of famous brands such as Prada, Valentino, Gucci and others.
Address of the Spanish Steps: Piazza di Spagna, Roma, Italy.
How to get there:
- metro line A - stop Spagna.
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