Rome - What you experience at the Spanish Steps

Whistles. The carabinieri arrive. At this moment dozens of people are sitting in the sunset. But sitting is forbidden....

An evening at the Spanish Steps in Rome is cinema live and deluxe. The church "Trinità dei Monti" has the most famous staircase in the world. A reportage on site.

the spanish staircase in rome seen from below — **At the Spanish Steps in Rome: the most famous staircase in the world**

the spanish staircase in rome in italy — **At the Spanish Steps in Rome: the most famous staircase in the world**

Most photographed in Rome
You are NOT allowed to do this on the Spanish Steps in Rome.
That's why the Spanish Steps are called the Spanish Steps...
Facts, facts, facts
To watch on site
How to get there?

The discussion the Italian couple is having looks serious. Lots of hands, even more fire - out of sight. Three metres away, a US student is doing biceps exercises for the perfect Instagram photo. And even further up, a really very friendly smiling gentleman is trying to "give away" roses*. (more about the special gifts here).

136 marble steps and so many stories. If you are in Rome, you should take at least one (better two) hours to admire the Spanish Steps. It's a spectacle.

Most photographed in Rome

In fact, next to the Colosseum, the Spanish Steps is one of the most photographed monuments in Rome. Just as the sun sets, locals and foreigners gather to enjoy the evening atmosphere in the orange light. So much beauty has its price.

What is forbidden on the Spanish Steps in Rome...

In 2016, the stairwell had to be renovated at a cost of 1.5 million euros. Red wine stains, food leftovers, chewing gum, coffee and air pollution. Since summer 2019, the bella vita is over: no sitting, no eating, no drinking. Fine: 400 euros!

Top or Flop: RIMINI, the whole story...

In reality, this is done in a relaxed way. Two carabinieri arrive, blow their whistles a few times. Two or three nice words to the sitters. The matter is settled.

Two middle-aged touring girls on the top gallery of the stairs prove that the drinking ban makes sense. After they have had a few glasses, the Proseco bottle slams on the floor. Instead of cleaning up the shards, the two disappear.

You are currently viewing a placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that doing so will share data with third-party providers.

More Information

Unblock content Accept required service and unblock content

Sunset with live programme at the Spanish Steps

Facts, facts, facts

official name: Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti
built: from 1723 to 1726.
Size: 68 metres long, up to 40 metres wide, 23 metres high
HistoryThe Spanish Steps lead from the monastery church of Trinità dei Monti to the Piazza di Spagna in Rome. For the church authorities, the then overgrown hill next to the church was an eyesore that marred the imposing cityscape.

piazza di spagna, spanish steps in rome — **The Piazza di Spagna in Rome**

This is why there is a Spanish Steps in Rome

In Italy, the Spanish Steps are actually called Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti. The name "Spanish Steps" is only used in German and English.

Why is the Spanish Steps in Rome called the Spanish Steps? how did it get the name? The staircase connects the church on the hill with the square below, Piazza della Spagna. The Spanish square used to be Spanish extraterritorial territory, and the Spanish embassy was also located here. And the staircase leading from the Spanish Square was therefore - logically - called the Spanish Staircase.

+++ Are you still looking for a nice place to stay in Rome? Look here... ^_Ad

To watch on site

**Luxury brands around Piazza di Spagna, especially in Via dei Condotti**

Luxury brands united: Around Spanish Square and Via dei Condotti, you'll find practically every luxury brand in the world. Note for handbag fans: there is always a queue in front of Louis Vuitton.

Fontana della Barcaccia: At the foot of the stairs, in Piazza di Spagna, stands the Fontana della Barcaccia, the Barque Fountain. The artist Pietro Bernini was inspired by the Tiber flood of 1598, which washed a small boat into the city.

>>> The Italian Summer Hits 2022

How to get to the Spanish Steps in Rome?

by underground: The Spanish Steps are easy to reach by public transport. Take metro line A to the "Spagna" stop.
on foot: The "Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti" is centrally located in the historic centre of Rome, so it is easy to get there on foot. (see Google Maps below)
by carThe nearest car park outside the ZTL is the "Parcheggio Saba Villa Borghese" (more about the traffic-calmed zone ZTL here(Attention: expensive!).

P. S. The thing with the "gift" roses

**Rose seller at the Spanish Steps in Rome**

As a rule, nothing is "given" to you on the Spanish Steps. The distributor expects financial compensation for the roses.

Before you become rude to the gentlemen: Most of the "sellers" live at subsistence level, do not have a work permit (that is why the roses are "given away" and not "sold") and work for a pusher column, which means they earn practically nothing. You can decide for yourself how much a rose is worth to you (or another loved one).

>>> back to top

A CASA