Things You May Not Know About Spanish Steps, Rome

A tourist attraction and a great example of the Roman Baroque architecture, the Spanish Steps, are renowned in the Eternal City of Rome. The steps are fondly famous as the meeting point in the city.

The steps were built n 1723-25 by the architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi. It was financed by a French diplomat Étienne Gueffier’s bequeathed and inaugurated by Pope Benedict XIII in 1725.

Facts About Spanish Steps Rome

These are the widest steps in Europe. Not only wide, they are curved, irregular, and have terraces too. Also, these are over 295 years old!

There are a total of 135 steps here. It is often mistaken as 136 steps because the drainage system is elevated, which feels like the first step.

Eating on the steps is prohibited. It is a historical landmark and hence is well protected by the Government.

The name ‘Spanish Steps’ (Scalina Spagna) is an extension to the Piazza di Spagna named after the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, which is located at the foot of the steps.

The steps were actually built to connect the Embassy and the Trinita dei Monti church.

The ‘Fontana della Barcaccia’, also known as the ‘Fountain of the Old Boat’, is located at the foot of the steps. A legend goes that it is built in the form of a sinking boat, after inspired by a fishing boat that was carried to the square during a flood of the Tibet River in the 16th century.

The first Mcdonald’s was opened in Italy in 1986, right in the heart of the Piazza di Spagna. It did get a lot of opposition then for an American chain to be settled in Rome’s historic center. It also led to founding of the international ‘Slow Food movement’ later.

The steps have made a debut in the movie ‘A Roman Holiday’ and ‘The Talented Mr.Ripley’. They’re also featured in an ‘Everybody Loves Raymond’ episode and a Bob Dylan song. It was a setting used during a Roadblock task during The Amazing Race 24 where contestants had to count the steps.

The steps are beautifully decorated with pink azaleas for a month in spring, while celebrating the anniversary of Rome’s founding. It is also decorated in Christmas and a 19-th century crib is displayed on the first steps.

The English poet John Keats lived and died in his house which is located just on the right corner of the steps. It is now turned into the Keats-Shelley museum in his and Percy Bysshe Shelley’s memory.

A drunk driver actually drove his car down the steps in 2007, which damaged a fair amount of the steps. Luckily, no one was hurt but the person was immediately arrested. Later, the steps were renovated.