Spanish Steps, Monumental staircase in Piazza di Spagna, Italy.
The Spanish Steps form a Baroque staircase with 135 steps linking Piazza di Spagna to Trinità dei Monti church through three levels of white marble landings. The construction spreads across multiple terraces, creating a wide, tapering structure that rises between balconies and surrounding buildings.
French diplomat Étienne Gueffier initiated the staircase project in 1660, but construction began in 1723 under architect Francesco de Sanctis. The completion came in 1725, marking the end of decades of negotiations between French and papal interests over the design and funding.
Locals and tourists relax on the steps, especially during early evening hours when the crowd becomes more animated. Street performers and occasional musicians add a creative atmosphere, while the staircase serves as a popular meeting point for both Romans and visitors.
Visitors can reach the staircase through Spagna metro station on Line A, with restaurants and shops along nearby Via Condotti. The steps remain accessible from early morning until late evening, with early morning offering quieter viewing conditions before the crowds arrive.
The Fontana della Barcaccia at the base commemorates a 1598 Christmas flood when a boat washed into Piazza di Spagna. The fountain sits below street level because water pressure in this part of Rome was too low to lift water higher.
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