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Top 10 Facts about the Spanish Steps in Rome

When in Rome do what the Romans do which is check out the Spanish Steps. It is a must-see and perfect for beautiful photos, especially in Spring.

The steps are a great example of Roman Baroque architecture. There are other attractions by steps and one gets a great view of the Eternal City.

These are the widest steps in Europe as well as being a common gathering area to stroll and people watch.

The steps are wide, irregular, curved and have terraces too.

Being a historical landmark, the steps are well protected by the Government. Sitting on the stairs or eating is prohibited.

There are more facts about the steps that you probably did not know about the Spanish Steps. Here are the top 10 facts.

1. The Spanish Steps has a total of 135 steps

This monumental stairway has 135 steps. The steps were funded by a French diplomat known as Étienne Gueffier.

The steps link the Trinità dei Monti church and the Bourbon Spanish Embassy.

The stairway was designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi.

If you try to count the steps, they will reach 136, one step is part of the drainage system that is elevated and is often mistaken for the first step.

2. Francesco De Sanctis won the competition to design the steps

By Margherita – Wikimedia

A design competition was held in 1717. Out of several entries, Francesco de Sanctis design was picked.

Although Alessandro Specchi, another architect, was said to have produced the winning entry.

Francesco De Sanctis was a late Baroque Italian architect and is recognised for his design of the Spanish Steps in collaboration with Alessandro Specchi.

They built the steps between 1723 and 1726 to celebrate the peace treaty between France and Spain.

The steps linked the top of the hill to the Spanish embassy and the Holy See at the bottom of the hill.

Original elements of the designs by De Sanctis were left out. One of the elements included grand fountains at a break in the steps.

It also had a row of trees on either side of the steps to give shade to those going up and down the steps.

3. The Steps were funded by a French diplomat

The Spanish Steps were financed by a French diplomat named Étienne Gueffier. He spent about 20,000 Scudi, a currency used in Italy until the 19th century.

He intended to finance a reinforced stairway leading to the Trinità dei Monti church.

The church was under the patronage of the King of France while the Spanish square was below.

It got its name after the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See. This territory was considered to be of the Spanish in the 17^th century.

The idea of connecting the church with the square was when the French also planned to have a statue of King Louis XIV of France at the top of the staircase.

This plan was never executed, due to the refusal of the Pope.

4. The Spanish Steps have attracted many artists in Rome

Photo by Ilnur Kalimullin on Unsplash

The Spanish steps are unique and elegant. It is no surprise then that the steps are popular with artists, painters and poets.

They have been inspired by the steps design and the people walking up and down the steps.

The artists have also drawn the attention of beautiful women who went to the steps in the hopes of being taken as models.

People from all backgrounds come to admire the steps, rich Romans and other travellers.

5. There is nothing Spanish about its design

The steps were funded by a French diplomat and built by an Italian architect in Rome.

They were then named Spanish steps due to their vicinity to the original Spanish Embassy at Piazza di Spagna.

These Steps were a link from the Bourbon Spanish Embassy and the Trinità dei Monti Church.

The church was under the patronage of the Bourbon Kings of France.

6. The Spanish Steps are most beautiful during spring

During the Christmas season, a 19th-century crib manger is usually displayed on the first landing of the staircase.

At springtime, part of the steps is covered by pots of azaleas, up until early May. Nowadays, the Spanish Steps have included a small cut-flower market.

They have seasonal decorations that are used for events. The fall of the Berlin Wall was marked with a multimedia show.

Replicas of the wall were placed on the steps.

7. The Spanish Steps have been renovated a couple of times

Photo by Sotiris Kastanas on Unsplash

The Steps have had their fair share of damage that has occurred over time.

A Drunk driver once drove a car down the steps, he was arrested by the authorities. No one was hurt during the incident.

Due to prolonged years under the sun and pollution, the steps got discoloured. Chewing gum, coffee spills and dirt ruined the original steps.

The restoration process was done by 82 workers. Eating or drinking on the steps is prohibited.

8. John Keates Museum is by the Spanish Steps

The house where John Keats, a famous English poet, lived is located at the right corner at the start of the climb.

He moved to Rome after he fell ill with the hopes that the weather in Rome would favour his health. He died aged 25 from tuberculosis in 1821.

The house is now a museum where people can see different memorabilia of John’s work and the English Romantics.

9. The Spanish Steps have been featured in Films and Art

The steps have been on the big screen in the film A Roman Holiday. They portrayed the status of a popular meeting place.

It was the perfect location for Gregory Peck’s character to ‘accidentally’ bump into Hepburn in the film.

Bob Dylan also mentioned the steps in his song that was featured in an episode of Everybody Loves Raymond.

The Spanish Steps were also the setting of a Roadblock task during The Amazing Race 24 (2014) in which contestants had to count the steps.

10. La Barcaccia Fountain

By Daniele.Brundu – Wikimedia

This is probably the first thing you will see when you get to Piazza di Spagna.

This beautiful travertine sculpture was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII in 1627.

The sculptor was Pietro Bernini, father of the more famous Italian architect and artist Gian Lorenzo.

The duo took part in designing and building the fountain and completed it in 1629.

It is beautifully decorated with sculptures and coat of arms of popes and the Barberini noble family, the dynasty of Pope Urban VIII who commissioned it.