The Spanish Steps (named after the nearby Spanish Embassy building) and also called “the open balcony of Rome.”are among the most beloved sites in Rome. Many people visit the stairs daily, sit on them with Italian espresso or gelato and enjoy the caressing sun. This delightful custom has brought artists, writers, and poets from all over Europe.
The Spanish Steps were build to connect the Spanish Embassy and Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Square) to the Trinita dei Monti Church. They contain over 130 steps and this is Europe’s most expansive and longest staircase and surrounded by impressive historical buildings and decorated with colorful flowers.
From the Spanish Steps, you can see the spectacular gardens of Villa Borghese or take a stroll along the shopping avenue Via Condetti, where you will meet prestigious and famous fashion brands and boutiques.
What is there to see in the Spanish Steps?
In the center of the Piazza di Spagna square is the boat sculpture (the barcache) designed by the famous artist Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini and his father. To the right of the stairs is the home of the famous British poet John Keats, which has become a museum dedicated to his works.
The Spanish Steps are magnificent sculptures that represent events from the New Testament, such as the Immaculate Column (the virgin birth, which is the birth of Jesus), and at its feet statues of Moses and King David.
What is essential to know?
Pay attention to your wallets and mobile phones. The Spanish Steps has quite elusive pickpockets.
