Piazza di Spagna
Discover the elegance of the Spanish Steps and the Spanish Steps with an exclusive Vespa tour, an iconic experience to explore Rome like a true Roman. Visit Rome’s main attractions, including the famous Spanish Steps, on a scooter tour that combines adventure and comfort in the heart of the Eternal City. Pedal through Rome’s most beautiful sights and arrive at the Spanish Steps by bike, a sustainable and enjoyable choice for experiencing the city at a slow pace. See the Spanish Steps and the Barcaccia Fountain on a tuk-tuk tour, a comfortable option for discovering Rome in an original way.
What you need to know about the Spanish Steps
Piazza di Spagna is one of Rome’s most famous squares, celebrated for its lively atmosphere and striking architecture. Located at the foot of the Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti), it is a popular gathering place for Romans and tourists alike. The square owes its name to the nearby Spanish Embassy and has a rich history dating back to the Baroque period. At the base of the steps is the Fontana della Barcaccia, designed by Pietro and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, which depicts a semi-submerged boat. At the top of the steps stands the Trinità dei Monti Church, from which there is a splendid view of the square below. The area around the Spanish Steps is also renowned for its upscale shopping streets, such as Via dei Condotti, making it a bustling area full of cafes, elegant boutiques and historic sites. It is a must-see for anyone visiting the heart of Rome.
History and Name: The square takes its name from the Embassy of Spain to the Holy See, located just nearby. In the 17th century, the area became a symbol of the Spanish presence and gradually acquired its current name.
Trinità dei Monti Staircase: Completed in 1725, the staircase has 135 steps and is one of the best-known examples of Baroque architecture in Rome. It was designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi and financed by French ambassador Étienne Gueffier, hence the connection to the French-owned church of Trinità dei Monti.
Fountain of the Barcaccia: Made in 1627-1629 by Pietro and Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the fountain is in the shape of a sinking boat, inspired by an ancient legend that a boat became stranded there during a flood of the Tiber.
Annual Fashion and Culture Event: Every year, Piazza di Spagna hosts fashion events, such as the “Woman Under the Stars” fashion show. It is a perfect setting for high fashion events and cultural evenings due to its beauty and historical importance.
Luxury Shopping: The streets around the square, such as Via dei Condotti, Via Frattina, and Via del Babuino, are home to boutiques of Italian and international luxury brands, such as Gucci, Prada, and Bulgari, making the area famous for exclusive shopping.
RULES FOR TOURISTS: In recent years, Roman authorities have introduced regulations to preserve the historic area: for example, it is forbidden to sit on the Trinità dei Monti Steps or eat food nearby, to keep the square clean and protect it from deterioration.
Curiosities
Meeting of Cultures: The square is famous for being a meeting point of different cultures, particularly because of the presence of the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See and the Trinità dei Monti church, which belongs to the French community. It is therefore a symbol of cooperation between Spanish, French and Italian cultures.
The Houses of John Keats and Giorgio De Chirico: The house where English poet John Keats died is located just to the right of the steps. Today it is a museum dedicated to his life and work, with a collection of books and objects from the Romantic period. Also near the square is the house-museum of Surrealist painter Giorgio De Chirico, one of the greatest Italian artists of the 20th century.
A “Weak” but Fascinating Fountain: The Fountain of the Barcaccia, famous for its distinctive shape, was specially designed with low water pressure. During construction, the water pressure at that level was too low to create impressive jets, so Bernini devised a “submerged” fountain that takes advantage of the limited flow.
The “Contested” Staircase: For many years there were disputes over who should take care of the maintenance of the staircase: the French state, which financed its construction, or the Vatican. Eventually, the staircase was awarded to Italy, but Trinità dei Monti remains the property of France.
Cinema: The Spanish Steps of Trinità dei Monti has been featured in many famous movie scenes. One of the most iconic scenes is from the film Roman Holiday (1953), in which Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck sit right here, making the place world-famous.
The Column of the Immaculate Conception: The 12-meter-high Column of the Immaculate Conception, inaugurated in 1857, is also located in the Spanish Steps. Every December 8, for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the Pope lays a wreath at the foot of the statue, an important tradition for Roman citizens.
The Inspiration Behind the Shape of the Staircase: The shape of the staircase, wide at the base and narrower at the top, is designed to give a sense of breadth and welcome to visitors, creating a kind of “architectural embrace” that guides the eye toward the Trinità dei Monti church.
Choose your favorite Vespa tour to visit Rome
Grand Tour of Rome
Rome Movie Set
Castelli Romani
Rome and Ostia Antica
