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Spanish Steps

![The Spanish Steps, seen from Piazza di Spagna. In the foreground is the Fontana della Barcaccia.](./assets/Piazza_di_Spagna_Rome The Spanish Steps, formally known as the Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti, is a Baroque staircase in Rome, Italy, comprising 135 travertine steps that connect the Piazza di Spagna below to the Piazza Trinità dei Monti and the Church of Santissima Trinità dei Monti above.^[1] Constructed between 1723 and 1725 under the direction of architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi, the staircase was commissioned by Pope Innocent XIII and funded by a bequest from French diplomat Étienne Gueffier to resolve the steep incline separating the two piazzas.^[2]^[3]^[4] Despite its French financing and the patronage of the French Bourbon kings over the summit church, the monument derives its English name from the nearby Spanish Embassy in Piazza di Spagna, established in the 17th century, while serving as a symbol of Roman urban Baroque architecture with its undulating terraces and balustrades.^[2]^[5] Renowned as Europe's widest staircase, it attracts millions of visitors annually as a prime vantage point overlooking the historic center, adorned seasonally with potted azaleas, and featured prominently in cultural works such as the 1953 film Roman Holiday.^[6]^[7] In recent decades, the site has faced preservation challenges from tourism-related wear, including bans on sitting or eating implemented in 2019 with fines up to €250, and incidents of vandalism such as a 2022 scooter damage causing €25,000 in repairs, prompting enhanced protective measures.^[8]^[9]

Historical Development

Origins and Construction

The need for a monumental staircase connecting Piazza di Spagna to the Church of Santissima Trinità dei Monti emerged in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, as the steep slope hindered pedestrian access between the urban piazza below and the elevated church above, despite earlier proposals for ramps or stairs dating to the planning of Via Felice under Pope Sixtus V in 1585.^[10] Multiple design competitions and schemes were attempted in the intervening period, but practical realization awaited sufficient funding and papal approval under Pope Innocent XIII (r. 1721–1724), who initiated a formal competition in 1721 to select the final design.^[3] Funding for the project derived from a 20,000-scudi bequest in the will of French diplomat Étienne Gueffier, who stipulated its use for public works in Rome, enabling the construction despite the site's location near the Spanish Embassy (hence the name) and the French-affiliated church.^[11] The winning design was by Italian architect Francesco de Sanctis, with structural engineering contributions from Alessandro Specchi, emphasizing a dynamic Baroque form with curved flights, terraces, and obelisk-flanked vistas to harmonize the ascent.^[12] Construction commenced in 1723 and concluded in 1725, involving the excavation and terracing of the hillside into 135 travertine steps divided across multiple landings, with integrated fountains and balustrades to manage drainage and enhance symmetry.^[12] ^[3] The work adhered to de Sanctis's vision of fragmented curvilinear segments pausing at a central square, avoiding a straight incline in favor of theatrical progression that visually unified the disparate elevations.^[10] This engineering addressed both functional access and aesthetic grandeur, reflecting Rome's Baroque urban renewal amid papal and diplomatic patronage.^[13]

Restorations and Maintenance

The Spanish Steps have undergone periodic restorations to address deterioration from intensive foot traffic, pollution, and natural weathering of the travertine stone. A major renovation took place in 1995, focusing on structural repairs and cleaning to counteract accumulated damage from decades of public use.^[14]^[15] The most extensive modern restoration occurred from late 2015 to September 2016, sponsored by the luxury jeweler Bulgari at a cost of €1.5 million. This 10-month project involved 82 specialized craftsmen who cleaned and repaired the 135 travertine steps, covering approximately 4,619 square feet of stone surface, while removing grime, patching cracks caused by invasive plants and heavy tourism, and restoring decorative elements without altering the original 18th-century design.^[16]^[17]^[18] Post-restoration maintenance measures were implemented immediately to prevent recurrence of damage, including the installation of protective barriers and a ban on sitting, eating, or lying on the steps, enforced by Rome's municipal authorities to curb vandalism and erosion from tourist activity.^[19] These rules, upheld as of 2025, include fines up to €450 for violations, reflecting ongoing efforts to balance public access with preservation amid millions of annual visitors.^[15] Continuous monitoring and minor interventions address issues like litter and minor cracks, with the site's management emphasizing sustainable tourism practices to extend the longevity of the monument.^[14]

Architectural Features

Design and Structure

The Spanish Steps consist of a monumental Baroque staircase ascending a steep slope from Piazza di Spagna to the Church of Trinità dei Monti, totaling 135 wide travertine steps over an elevation of approximately 29 meters.^[20]^[21] The design, primarily attributed to Italian architect Francesco de Sanctis with engineering input from Alessandro Specchi, divides the ascent into multiple flights connected by curving balustrades that create a dynamic, undulating form resembling butterfly wings when viewed aerially.^[10]^[12] This structure incorporates three principal terraces—symbolizing the Holy Trinity—serving as intermediate landings to facilitate climbing and enhance visual rhythm through fragmented curvilinear segments converging on a central rectangular platform.^[3]^[22] Structurally, the staircase employs eleven principal ramps with balustrades that twist and expand outward at the base to harmonize with the surrounding urban plaza, while narrowing upward to frame the church facade.^[23] The steps' gentle slope and broad treads prioritize pedestrian comfort over steep efficiency, reflecting Baroque principles of theatrical movement and spatial drama rather than utilitarian ascent.^[10] Subtle asymmetries in the balustrade curves and terrace widths, evident upon close inspection, introduce organic variation within an overall symmetrical composition, countering rigid geometry with fluid Baroque exuberance.^[22] Obelisks and sculptural elements at key vantage points, such as the Sallustiano obelisk atop the uppermost terrace, further accentuate vertical thrust and integrate the steps into the broader topographic and symbolic landscape of Rome.^[24]

Materials and Engineering

The Spanish Steps, known in Italian as the Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, were constructed primarily from travertine limestone quarried from deposits near Tivoli, about 30 kilometers east of Rome. Travertine, a porous sedimentary rock formed by the evaporation of calcium carbonate-rich waters from hot springs, consists mainly of calcite (CaCO₃) with trace minerals imparting its characteristic light color and veining.^[25]^[26] This material was selected for its high compressive strength—typically exceeding 100 MPa—durability against weathering, and ability to be cut into large blocks suitable for load-bearing steps, aligning with longstanding Roman building traditions where travertine provides both structural integrity and aesthetic harmony with the urban landscape.^[25]^[27] Supplementary materials included brick for substructural elements, marble for decorative accents such as balustrade urns, and plaster for finishing touches, though travertine accounts for the vast majority of the visible 3,000 square meters of surface area.^[28]^[20] From an engineering standpoint, the staircase represents a Baroque-era solution to bridging a steep 36-meter elevation difference over a constrained hillside site, completed between 1723 and 1725 under the design of Italian architect Francesco de Sanctis. The structure comprises 135 wide steps arranged in three main flights separated by two terraced landings, forming a symmetrical "butterfly" plan that distributes loads across a span exceeding 25 meters at its widest—among Europe's broadest for such a monument—while incorporating curved balustrades and integrated planters to mitigate soil erosion and enhance stability.^[21]^[20] This terraced configuration, rather than a continuous ramp, reduces the effective gradient to about 1:6 in places, easing pedestrian navigation and allowing for scenic pauses, with the travertine's natural porosity aiding minor drainage to prevent water accumulation on treads.^[21] Construction likely employed scaffolding and pulley systems common to 18th-century Italian masonry, leveraging travertine's workability for precise on-site shaping, though the absence of iron reinforcements reflects reliance on the stone's inherent mass and friction for seismic resilience in Rome's tectonic setting.^[25] Restorations, such as the 2016 effort involving over 80 workers treating 3,000 square meters of travertine alongside brick and marble repairs, underscore the engineering's longevity, with interventions focusing on sealing pores against pollution-induced degradation without altering original load paths.^[29]

Associated Locations

Piazza di Spagna

![The Spanish Steps, seen from Piazza di Spagna. In the foreground is the Fontana della Barcaccia.](./assets/Piazza_di_Spagna_Rome The Piazza di Spagna is an irregularly shaped public square in central Rome, located at the base of the Spanish Steps that ascend to the Piazza Trinità dei Monti and the church of the same name. Named for the adjacent Palazzo di Spagna, which houses the embassy of Spain to the Holy See, the piazza developed as a focal point in the 17th and 18th centuries amid Rome's urban expansion under papal patronage.^[30]^[31] Dominating the center of the piazza is the Fontana della Barcaccia, a Baroque fountain commissioned by Pope Urban VIII and constructed between 1626 and 1629 by the sculptor Pietro Bernini, father of [Gian Lorenzo Bernini](/page/Gian Lorenzo_Bernini). The fountain's design features a low, boat-shaped basin symbolizing a vessel half-submerged in the Tiber River, referencing boats stranded in the piazza during the severe flood of 1598; its subdued form accounts for the low water pressure from the Acqua Vergine aqueduct, which supplies it.^[32]^[33]^[34] In 1857, Pope Pius IX commissioned the erection of the Column of the Immaculate Conception within the piazza, a 39-meter marble column topped by a bronze statue of the Virgin Mary, with four additional statues of prophets at its base representing the foretelling of the Immaculate Conception doctrine, proclaimed by Pius IX himself in 1854.^[35] The piazza's layout, bordered by 17th- and 18th-century palazzi including the Keats-Shelley House where the poet John Keats died in 1821, has long attracted artists, writers, and tourists, serving as a vibrant social hub despite its modest dimensions compared to grander Roman forums.^[31]

Trinità dei Monti Church

The Church of Santissima Trinità dei Monti, commonly known as Trinità dei Monti, is a Roman Catholic titular church situated at the apex of the Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy. Established as the French national church in the city, it was founded to honor the spiritual assistance provided by Saint Francis of Paola to King Louis XI of France. Construction commenced in 1502 under the patronage of King Louis XII, who allocated funds for a monastery and church dedicated to the Order of Minims, the religious order established by Saint Francis of Paola.^[36]^[37] The initial Gothic-style structure, featuring ogival cross vaults, was erected between 1502 and 1519 using stone imported from Narbonne, France. Expansion occurred in the mid-16th century, with the nave and transept rebuilt in Renaissance style under architects such as Annibale Lippi and Carlo Maderno. The distinctive facade, characterized by twin bell towers atypical for Roman churches and evoking late French Gothic elements, was designed by Giacomo della Porta around 1587. An obelisk from the Sallustian Gardens, erected in 1789, stands prominently before the church facade.^[38]^[39] The church's elevated position directly above the Spanish Steps, constructed between 1723 and 1725, integrates it into the urban landscape connecting Piazza di Spagna below to the Trinità dei Monti summit. Internally, notable features include frescoes by Daniele da Volterra in the Cavalletti Chapel and works by Giovanni Antonio Bazzi in the Altoviti Chapel, added in 1570. Since 2016, the church and adjacent convent have been administered by the Emmanuel Community, a Catholic charismatic community, which organizes prayer services and hosts relics, such as those of Saint Thérèse of Lisieux displayed during the 2025 Jubilee of Hope.^[36]^[40]^[41]

Ownership and Disputes

Historical Ownership Claims

The Spanish Steps, formally known as the Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, were constructed between 1723 and 1725 on land within the Papal States, connecting the Piazza di Spagna below to the Trinità dei Monti church above, which had been under French royal patronage since the 16th century.^[42] The primary historical ownership claim derives from French involvement: the project was commissioned by French Cardinal Pierre Guérin de Tencin and funded by a bequest of 20,000 scudi from Étienne Gueffier, a French diplomat whose estate specified support for religious works in Rome, ultimately channeled through King Louis XV's auspices to resolve longstanding access issues between the French church and the adjacent public square.^[11] ^[43] This financial commitment positioned France as the de facto steward, with the staircase designed to symbolize reconciliation between French and Spanish interests amid Bourbon dynastic ties, though the "Spanish" designation stems solely from the nearby Spanish Embassy in Piazza di Spagna rather than any territorial claim by Spain.^[44] In 1790, a concordat between Pope Pius VI and French Cardinal François-Joachim de Pierre de Bernis formalized French administrative oversight through the Pieux Établissements de la France à Rome, an entity tasked with maintaining French-patronaged properties in Rome, including the Steps and Trinità dei Monti church; this arrangement affirmed France's custodial role without ceding outright property title, as the assets remained under papal sovereignty.^[43] ^[45] Papal approval was required for construction, reflecting ultimate authority vested in the Holy See, yet French diplomats and clergy exercised practical control over upkeep into the 19th century, funding restorations such as those addressing erosion by the 18th century's end.^[10] No contemporaneous disputes over title are documented, but French claims emphasized perpetual maintenance obligations as implicit ownership rights, contrasting with the Papal States' jurisdictional oversight.^[45] Spain asserted no formal ownership, despite the embassy's proximity; the Bourbon link was diplomatic, not proprietary, and the Steps' design incorporated no Spanish heraldic or structural elements beyond nominal naming.^[42] By the mid-19th century, as Italian unification loomed, French administration persisted amid shifting Roman governance, but effective control transitioned toward emerging Italian state entities post-1870, underscoring that historical French claims rested on endowment and stewardship rather than absolute dominion.^[43]

Recent International Controversies

In September 2024, a report by the French Court of Auditors sparked an international dispute between France and Italy regarding the ownership and management of the Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti). The document, which examined the administration of French religious properties in Rome, highlighted the Trinità dei Monti church at the top of the Steps and noted that the staircase was financed in the 18th century through a bequest from French diplomat Étienne Gueffier (20,000 Roman scudi in 1660) and constructed between 1723 and 1725 under French oversight, with maintenance historically handled by the Pieux Établissements de la France à Rome until the late 19th century.^[15]^[43] While the report primarily criticized perceived mismanagement of French assets, including a €250 million portfolio generating €4.5 million annually, it raised questions about legal responsibilities that some interpreted as implying French proprietorship over the Steps themselves.^[43]^[46] Italian officials firmly rejected any French ownership claims, asserting that the Steps constitute a public monument under full Italian sovereignty, managed by Roman authorities since the early 20th century despite the historical French funding. Rome's superintendent of cultural heritage, Claudio Parisi Presicce, described the controversy as "groundless," emphasizing the Steps' status as an integral part of Italy's urban fabric, designed by Italian architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi.^[15]^[43] Tourism Minister Daniela Santanchè expressed indignation, stating, "They even want to take the Spanish Steps," while legal experts noted that France holds administrative rights over certain churches via 1790 Vatican agreements but lacks territorial sovereignty, with no extraterritorial status applying to the site.^[15]^[46] The Vatican, involved due to the church's ecclesiastical ties (currently under the Emmanuel Community), aligned with Italy in upholding national jurisdiction.^[46] French Court President Pierre Moscovici clarified that the report sought only "clarification" on maintenance obligations rather than asserting ownership, framing it as an internal audit ahead of cultural diplomacy discussions.^[15] As of late September 2024, no formal resolution had emerged, though the episode underscored lingering sensitivities over historical extraterritorial properties in Rome, including five French-administered churches, without altering the Steps' de facto Italian control.^[43]^[46] The dispute drew media attention but was widely viewed by observers as more rhetorical than legally substantive, given established bilateral precedents.^[15]

Tourism and Usage

Visitor Patterns and Attractions

The Spanish Steps attract millions of visitors annually as one of Rome's premier landmarks, contributing to the city's overall tourism of approximately 35 million visitors in 2023, with international arrivals exceeding eight million in 2024.^[47]^[48] While precise figures for the Steps alone are not systematically tracked, their central location in the historic Centro Storico ensures heavy foot traffic, often numbering in the thousands daily during peak periods.^[49] Visitor patterns follow seasonal trends, with peak influxes from April to October due to mild weather and major events, including the annual azalea bloom in spring that draws crowds celebrating Rome's founding on April 21.^[50] Summer months (June-August) see the highest volumes from school holidays and international flights, exacerbating overcrowding, while off-season visits from November to March offer fewer crowds but cooler temperatures.^[51] Daily patterns favor early mornings or late afternoons for reduced congestion, as midday hours concentrate tourists seeking shade and photos amid the 135 steps.^[52] Key attractions include the Baroque staircase itself, linking Piazza di Spagna below to the Trinità dei Monti church above, offering panoramic views of Rome's rooftops and serving as a photogenic hub.^[53] The adjacent Fontana della Barcaccia, a 17th-century fountain by Pietro Bernini, provides a serene foreground for visitors, while seasonal displays of over 500 azalea pots—planted since 1936 and peaking in April—transform the Steps into a floral spectacle for the Capitoline Azalea Exhibition.^[54] Nearby draws encompass luxury shopping on Via Condotti, the Keats-Shelley House museum at the base, and the Villa Medici gardens atop, appealing to literary enthusiasts and art lovers; the site's fame in films like Roman Holiday (1953) further sustains its allure for cinematic tourism.^[55]^[56] ![Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck in Roman Holiday trailer 2.jpg][float-right]

Regulations and Restrictions

In August 2019, Rome's municipal authorities implemented an ordinance prohibiting sitting, eating, or drinking on the Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti), with fines ranging from €160 to €400 for violations, aimed at preserving the 18th-century Baroque monument following its 2016 restoration.^[57] ^[58] The ban also extends to writing or drawing on the steps and other behaviors deemed damaging, such as leaning against or obstructing the stairs, enforced by local police who initially issued warnings before escalating to penalties.^[59] ^[60] These rules remain in effect as of 2024, with fines for soiling or damaging the steps adjusted to €250–€400 (approximately $280–$448), particularly amid increased tourism during Rome's 2025 Jubilee Year preparations, which include heightened monitoring to prevent litter and wear.^[61] ^[62] Unauthorized vending, such as street sellers offering roses or souvenirs near the steps, is restricted under broader citywide regulations against illegal commerce in historic zones, with confiscations and fines up to €7,000 possible, though enforcement focuses more on the steps' immediate surface.^[63] The measures stem from empirical observations of accelerated deterioration— including stains from food spills and physical erosion from prolonged sitting—documented post-restoration, prioritizing the structure's longevity over visitor convenience despite initial public puzzlement.^[63] ^[64] Compliance is promoted through multilingual signage and patrols, though anecdotal reports indicate sporadic leniency for brief rests; violations have led to fines, including for eating gelato or picnicking, underscoring the ordinance's intent to treat the steps as a protected architectural feature rather than a public seating area.^[65] ^[56]

Preservation Issues

Vandalism and Damage Incidents

In May 2022, a Saudi Arabian man illegally drove a Maserati down the Spanish Steps, fracturing the 16th and 29th steps on the right-hand flight ascending from Piazza di Spagna, as reported by Rome's heritage protection authority.^[66] Less than a month later, on June 8, 2022, two American tourists, a woman and her companion, hurled an electric scooter down the 18th-century marble steps, inflicting scratches and chips that authorities estimated at €25,000 in repair costs; the pair were each fined €400 and banned from the site.^[67]^[9] The adjacent Fontana della Barcaccia at the base of the steps was deliberately vandalized on February 19, 2015, by groups of Dutch soccer fans amid clashes before a Europa League match; revelers filled the 17th-century Bernini-designed fountain with beer, climbed inside, and used it as an ashtray, resulting in chipped travertine fragments and splintered edges that required specialized restoration.^[68]^[69] Such incidents have prompted stricter enforcement, including vehicle prohibitions and fines up to €500 for damaging the steps, though accidental damages like an 80-year-old driver's car descent in June 2025 caused no reported structural harm.^[70]^[71]

Impacts of Mass Tourism

Mass tourism at the Spanish Steps has accelerated physical deterioration through constant foot traffic and visitor behaviors, with Rome's overall influx of approximately 35 million tourists in 2023 placing immense strain on this landmark as a central attraction drawing millions annually. The 135 travertine steps suffer erosion from prolonged sitting, leaning, and trampling, compounded by litter and food spills that necessitate frequent cleanings post-2016 restoration.^[72] ^[73] ^[63] In response, Rome authorities enforced a ban on sitting, eating, or vending on the steps starting in August 2019, with fines reaching €400 for violations to curb obstruction, soiling, and wear that officials attribute directly to mass gatherings. This measure followed years of unchecked loitering, which exacerbated damage noted after the site's prior 1995 restoration, where heavy tourist use was cited as a primary factor in degradation.^[58] ^[74] ^[75] Vandalistic acts underscore behavioral risks, including two 2022 incidents where tourists propelled electric scooters down the steps, inflicting €25,000 in repairs each time, and a separate case involving a vehicle drive-down causing further structural harm. Such events, amid overtourism's broader effects like increased litter and congestion, have prompted heightened policing and underscore the causal link between visitor volume and preservation costs, as seen in the €1.5 million Bulgari-funded overhaul completed in 2016 despite delays from bureaucratic and economic hurdles.^[76] ^[67] ^[77]^[17]

Cultural Significance

Representations in Literature and Art

The Spanish Steps have been depicted in visual art since their completion in 1725, with early representations capturing their Baroque dynamism and integration into Rome's urban landscape. Giovanni Battista Piranesi, the 18th-century Venetian artist known for his vedute etchings of Roman antiquities and architecture, produced a notable view of the staircase in his series Vedute di Roma, executed between 1748 and 1778. This etching portrays the steps ascending toward the Trinità dei Monti church, emphasizing their sweeping curves and the surrounding piazza's vitality, serving as a documentary and artistic record of the site shortly after its construction.^[78] In the 19th and early 20th centuries, the steps attracted Impressionist and modernist interpretations. American painter Childe Hassam rendered them in his 1897 oil painting The Spanish Steps, Rome, employing loose brushwork to convey the play of light and the bustling atmosphere of the piazza, reflecting the site's appeal to international artists during the Grand Tour era. Similarly, French artist Gustave Eugène Chauffourier's modernist depiction contrasts vertical pillars against horizontal shadows, abstracting the staircase's form to highlight its geometric essence in a work dated to the early 20th century. These artworks underscore the steps' enduring role as a symbol of Roman elegance and social congregation.^[79]^[80] In literature, the Spanish Steps feature prominently in travelogues and Romantic-era writings, often symbolizing Rome's allure for expatriate writers. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe referenced the staircase in his Italian Journey (published 1816-1817, based on travels from 1786-1788), describing the Piazza di Spagna area as a vibrant hub that exemplified the city's layered history and aesthetic harmony. The site gained deeper literary association through English Romantic poet John Keats, who resided in rooms at the base of the steps from November 1820 until his death from tuberculosis on February 23, 1821; though not directly thematized in his poetry, the location inspired reflections on mortality and beauty in his final letters and verses, now commemorated at the adjacent Keats-Shelley House museum. Later 20th-century fiction, such as Alfred Bester's science fiction novel The Stars My Destination (1956), incorporates multiple scenes set on the steps, using them as a metaphorical ascent in a narrative of personal transformation. These mentions highlight the staircase's function as a locus for contemplation and narrative pivotal moments in prose.^[13]^[81]

Depictions in Film and Media

The Spanish Steps prominently feature in the 1953 romantic comedy Roman Holiday, directed by William Wyler, where Princess Ann, played by Audrey Hepburn, and journalist Joe Bradley, played by Gregory Peck, sit on the steps eating gelato during her incognito day in Rome. This scene contributed significantly to the staircase's global recognition, exposing it to international audiences through the film's box office success and Hepburn's Academy Award-winning performance.^[1] Subsequent films have utilized the Steps as a backdrop for various narratives. In The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999), directed by Anthony Minghella, scenes capture the area's elegance and social milieu amid the protagonist's deceptions.^[82] Woody Allen's To Rome with Love (2012) includes the location in its anthology of stories set in contemporary Rome, highlighting everyday urban life.^[83] More recent action-oriented depictions contrast with earlier romantic portrayals. Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One (2023), starring Tom Cruise, features a motorcycle chase weaving through the Steps during a high-stakes pursuit.^[84] Similarly, Fast X (2023) incorporates the staircase in a sequence involving a flaming bomb rolling down the steps, emphasizing dramatic destruction in the Fast & Furious franchise.^[84] These appearances underscore the Steps' versatility as a cinematic landmark, often symbolizing Rome's historic charm juxtaposed with modern spectacle.

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Fontana della Barcaccia in Rome - Legend & History | Roma Wonder
The Fountain of the Old Boat or Fontana della Barcaccia in Italian, is one of the most famous fountains in Rome, located in the city historical center.
[35]
The Immaculate Conception on the Piazza di Spagna (Rome)
Aug 28, 2023 · A monument, consisting of a tall marble column topped by a statue of the Virgin Mary, with additional statues at the base, in the center of a town square in ...
[36]
The Church - Trinità dei Monti
Like the convent associated, it owes its origin to the spiritual help that Saint Francis of Paola (Francesco da Paola) brought to the King of France Louis XI, ...
[37]
Trinità dei Monti: View of the facade and obelisk, looking up ... - Marble
In 1502, Louis XII of France began construction of the church next to a monastery for the Minimite Friars. The present Italian Renaissance church was eventually ...
[38]
The Church of Ss Trinità dei Monti in Rome - Walks in Rome
Trinità dei Monti is the French national church in Rome. The facade with its twin bell-towers is thought to be the work of Giacomo della Porta (1532-1602).
[39]
Santissima Trinità dei Monti – HERITAGE POST
Sep 5, 2018 · Approval was given by Pope Alessandro VI and construction started in 1502 using stone from Narbonne in France. The Gothic church's towers were ...
[40]
https://www.rome.us/churches/trinita-dei-monti.html
[41]
Discover the chapel at the Spanish Steps where St. Thérèse prayed ...
May 16, 2025 · In celebration of the Jubilee of Hope, the Trinità dei Monti church is displaying the relics of the saint for public veneration all year and ...
[42]
Spanish Steps | History, Description, & Facts - Britannica
It consists of 135 steps and was built between 1723 and 1725. Though it was funded with a bequest left by a French diplomat, it was named for the Bourbon ...
[43]
Rome in row with Paris over who owns the Spanish Steps
Sep 14, 2024 · The iconic Spanish Steps have ended up at the centre of a dispute between Rome and Paris after a report by the French Court of Auditors ...
[44]
The (not so Spanish) Spanish Steps - Rome on Rome
Feb 25, 2016 · The great staircase, originally named La Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti, was supposed to be a symbol of peace between France and Spain, a ...
[45]
Kerfuffle erupts in Rome over ownership of Spanish Steps, iconic ...
Sep 14, 2024 · Constructed between 1723 and 1725, the stairway was designed by a French architect and funded by King Louis XV of France.
[46]
Vatican and Italy Against France: Towards a Conflict Over ... - Zenit.org
Sep 17, 2024 · A dispute over the ownership of one of the most iconic monuments of Rome, has generated a small diplomatic storm between Italy and France.
[47]
Rome Travel Trends 2023 (And 2024 So Far) - Tourist Italy
2023 was a banner year for tourism, with Rome basking in a record 35 million visitors. This surge echoes a global rebound, fueled by pent-up demand and a ...
[48]
https://www.statista.com/topics/6083/tourism-in-rome/
[49]
Tourism: Rome celebrates a historical record of visitors
Rome is increasingly the capital of tourism: 51.4 million presences and 22.2 million arrivals crown a record year.
[50]
Italy Travel Trends & Statistics: 2024-2025
An estimated 30 million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome, leading to potential overcrowding. Travel advisors recommend planning visits to Rome outside major ...Missing: annual | Show results with:annual
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Why You Should Visit Rome, Italy in the Off-Season
Oct 28, 2024 · The off-season typically spans from November through March, in contrast to the peak season that runs from May through October.Missing: patterns | Show results with:patterns
[52]
Best Time to Visit the Spanish Steps in Rome, Italy
Nov 19, 2024 · Early morning or late afternoon visits are ideal for enjoying the area with fewer crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere. Additionally, you can ...
[53]
14 Things to See at the Spanish Steps: Rome Neighborhood Guide
Dec 27, 2024 · 14. The House of Gian Lorenzo Bernini · 13. Column of the Immaculate Conception · 12. Pompi Tiramisù · 11. Villa Medici · 10. Pastificio Guerra · 9.
[54]
86esima mostra delle azalee capitoline a Piazza di Spagna
Spring is not spring in Rome without the azaleas that decorate and color the 18th-century staircase of Trinità de' Monti, giving it a triumphantly ...
[55]
THE 10 BEST Things to Do Near Spanish Steps (2025) - Tripadvisor
Spanish Steps. 3.9. (23,204 reviews). Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Rome Italy ; Keats-Shelley House. 4.4. (307 reviews). Piazza di Spagna 26, ...
[56]
The Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna in Rome
Things to see in Piazza di Spagna · The Palazzo di Spagna · The Column of the Immaculate Conception · The Fontana della Barcaccia · The Keats - Shelley House.
[57]
Rome's New Rules: No Sitting on the Spanish Steps (and No ...
Aug 7, 2019 · Sitting on the Spanish Steps is now subject to a fine of 400 euros, or about $450, under new municipal rules that ban a variety of activities in the city's ...Missing: restrictions | Show results with:restrictions<|separator|>
[58]
Rome bans sitting on Spanish Steps, puzzling hot, tired tourists
Aug 9, 2019 · Fines for those who do not obey police range from 160 to 400 euros ($180-450). But so far, no signs have been put up informing tourists about ...Missing: restrictions | Show results with:restrictions
[59]
Rome bans people from sitting on Spanish Steps | CBC News
Aug 9, 2019 · "Visitors are not allowed to sit on the steps. They are also forbidden to eat or write on the stairs. Besides, some behaviours are also banned, ...
[60]
Rome: Police enforce new law against sitting on landmarks
Aug 8, 2019 · But as of July 8th, sitting, eating and drinking on them is illegal and can result in a fine of up to €400. The ordinance also applies to other ...
[61]
Italy 2025: What travelers should know - Jubilee year brings more ...
Dec 19, 2024 · Fines can for violators of the ban range from $280 to $448 if someone soils or damages the steps. This historic stairway connects the Church of ...
[62]
Tourists In Rome Will Be Fined For Sitting Down At One Of Italy's ...
Oct 21, 2024 · Since 2019, people have been forbidden to sit on the Spanish Steps. It may be one of the most romantic spots in Rome, but you'll have to see it on the go.
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Sitting on the Spanish Steps & Other Ways to get Fined in Italy
Sep 12, 2023 · But as of 2019, a ban has been introduced to prevent tourists from sitting on the 135 steps, spanning from the Trinita de' Monti to the Piazza ...The Spanish Steps Sitting Ban · Things that could get you fined...
[64]
Italy takes aim at tourists with Airbnb crackdown and loudspeaker bans
Feb 6, 2024 · (Just around the corner at the Spanish Steps, though, officials enacted a rule back in 2019 stating that neither locals nor tourists can sit on ...
[65]
Why can't people sit on the Spanish Steps in Rome? - Facebook
Jun 17, 2025 · The Spanish Steps in Rome have a new rule against sitting, and tourists are being fined for not following it, with discussions on the reasoning ...On Saturday we visited the Spanish steps... VERY busy. Police were ...Hi, I noticed on the live Cam, the fountain at the bottom of the SpanishMore results from www.facebook.com
[66]
Saudi man charged after Maserati driven down Rome's Spanish Steps
May 14, 2022 · The car caused fractures to the 16th and 29th steps of the right-hand flight rising up from Spanish Square, Rome's heritage protection body said ...Missing: history | Show results with:history
[67]
US tourist throws scooter down Rome's Spanish Steps, causing ...
Jun 8, 2022 · An American tourist has caused €25,000 (£21,000) worth of damage after hurling her electric scooter down Rome's Spanish Steps. The incident was ...
[68]
Dutch Soccer Fans Vandalize Rome's La Barcaccia Fountain - NPR
Feb 20, 2015 · Vandals left the fountain chipped and splintered. Shaped like a half-sunken ship with water overflowing its bow, the oval basin below was filled ...
[69]
Dutch Soccer Hooligans Damage Historic Bernini Fountain in Rome
Feb 20, 2015 · Hundreds of Dutch soccer fans wreaked havoc on Rome over the past two days, damaging a 17th-century fountain designed by Pietro and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.
[70]
Italian Man, 80, Drives Down Rome's Spanish Steps; Has Car ...
Jun 19, 2025 · An 80-year-old Italian man drove his car down the Spanish Steps early on June 17 · No injuries or damage to the steps were reported, and the car ...
[71]
Italy plans hefty fines for vandalism to monuments, cultural sites
Apr 12, 2023 · Italy's Cabinet on Tuesday approved a bill to fine vandals who damage monuments or other cultural sites up to 60000 euros ($65559).<|separator|>
[72]
Rome Tourism Statistics - How Many Tourists Visit? (2023)
Aug 6, 2024 · How many tourists visited Rome in 2023? · Rome welcomed approximately 35 million tourists in 2023, marking a 9% increase from the previous year.
[73]
Millions of tourists flock to Rome's Spanish Steps each year, but few ...
May 16, 2025 · Millions of tourists flock to Rome's Spanish Steps each year, but few realize that at the top of the steps is a hidden chapel with a special ...
[74]
Tourists face €250 fines for sitting on Spanish Steps in Rome
Aug 7, 2019 · But people could be fined €250 simply for sitting down on one of the 136 steps that lead up to the Trinità dei Monti church, and up to €400 for ...Missing: restrictions littering
[75]
Rome's Spanish Steps Are Closing—Here's What You Need to Know
Oct 13, 2015 · The Spanish Steps were last restored in 1995, and Roman officials cited heavy tourist foot traffic as a reason for their deterioration—lots of ...Missing: maintenance costs
[76]
US tourists fined for damaging Rome's Spanish Steps with scooters
Jun 9, 2022 · Young Americans each hit with €400 fines after a scooter was thrown down the 18th-century landmark, causing up to €25000-worth of damage.
[77]
Tourists damage Rome's Spanish Steps for the second time in a month
Oct 6, 2022 · The women hurled the scooter down the 18th century marble landmark, causing an estimated €25,000 worth of damage.
[78]
Giovanni Battista Piranesi : View of the Spanish Steps - Etching - I
Engraving taken from the collection "Views of Rome drawn and engraved by Giambattista Piranesi Venetian architect", Rome, 1748-1778. € 700,00 / 1.400,00.<|separator|>
[79]
The Spanish Steps, Rome, 1897 - Childe Hassam - WikiArt.org
'The Spanish Steps, Rome' was created in 1897 by Childe Hassam in Impressionism style. Find more prominent pieces of genre painting at Wikiart.org – best ...
[80]
Gustave Eugène Chauffourier - [Spanish Steps, Rome]
This unconventional depiction of Rome's famous Spanish Steps contrasts a row of vertical pillars against horizontal bands of shadow to produce a modernist ...
[81]
Keats-Shelley House, Rome, Italy | The Common
Mar 2, 2017 · In November 1820, John Keats and his friend Joseph Severn climbed these stairs to two small rooms above the Spanish Steps, ready to stay until the end.
[82]
Where Famous Movies Were Filmed in Rome
May 13, 2011 · Talented Mr. Ripley at the Spanish Steps. Spanish Steps. This staircase is so famous, it's shown up in lots of films.
[83]
Movies Filmed at Spanish Steps - MovieMaps
Movies Filmed at Spanish Steps · To Rome with Love · Roman Holiday.
[84]
Filming location matching "spanish steps, rome, italy" (Sorted ... - IMDb
A remake of Roman Holiday will be filmed in Rome and an unknown woman is chosen to play the lead. Once in Rome, she meets a reporter/porter/waiter/aspiring ...