Spanish Steps

Spanish Steps – the most important information

The Spanish Steps are a monumental stairway in Rome that connect the Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti with the Trinità dei Monti church at the top. It is a popular tourist spots where artist paint visitors’ portraits.

About the Spanish Steps

The Spanish Steps have 135 steps and they were built in 1723-1725 with the bequeathed funds of French diplomat Étienne Gueffier. They are called the Spanish Steps because there used to be a Spanish Embassy at the Piazza di Spagna. The stairway was designed by Francesco de Sanctis and it has curves, straight flights, vistas, and terraces. The last restoration of the steps was in 2015 and 2016 when they were scrubbed clean and returned to their former splendor. There is a lift that you can use to get to the top of the Spanish Steps.

What to see at the Spanish Steps?

Apart from the stairway itself that is a sight to see, you can also admire the squares Piazza di Spagna and Piazza Trinità dei Monti with the church.

The Trinità dei Monti church was built in the 16th century and inside of it there is one of Rome’s most prized masterpieces, Deposizione by Daniele de Volterra.
Fontana della Barcaccia – at the Spanish Square there is a fountain that features a half-shrunk stone ship sculped by Pietro Bernini, called Fontana della Barcaccia.
Keats-Shelley House – located about half-way up the steps to the side, this one-time residence is a literary landmark, a museum, where the 25-year-old English romantic poet John Keats passed away.

How to get to the Spanish Steps?

You can get to the steps by:

Metro – Line A, Spagna stop.
Bus – 160, 495, 63, 71, 80, 85, 990.
Train – FL4, FL5, R.

What should you know before visiting the Spanish Steps?

It is forbidden to sit on the steps; the fines go up to 400 euros. Also, it is not allowed to eat on the steps.
The best time to visit the steps is in the morning, before the crowds, or after the sun sets.
The steps are adorned with thousands of azaleas during the spring.