The Spanish Steps are crowded
Bunch of bodies brooding there
Dead-pan sidewalk vendors
Hustling vacant stares
— from “The Only Joy In Town” by Joni Mitchell
If you’ve been to Rome before, you have probably been amongst the brooding bodies hanging out on the Spanish Steps, in the event you were fortunate enough to have visited prior to the summer of 2019. That summer, sitting on the stairs was prohibited by law, to the delight of some and the dismay of many.
Despite the not-so-fun fact that you can no longer lounge on the Spanish Steps, it is still one of the most fabulous Baroque monuments in Rome, and there are still plenty of fun facts to know.
Fun Facts about the Spanish Steps
The Name: Why Are They Called “the Spanish Steps”?
Rumour has it that John Keats may have coined the name “Spanish Steps”. The English poet lived briefly in a house at the base of the stairs just before his death in 1821.
Piazza di Spagna, located at the bottom of the staircase, has been home to the Embassy of Spain to the Holy See since 1647. The Steps connect the piazza with the church of Trinità dei Monti, which sits at the top.
Interestingly enough, Italians don’t call the Spanish Steps “the Spanish Steps”! They refer to them as la Scalinata, which is short for la Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti and simply means “stairway”.
The Staircase Itself: Facts & Figures
- Funding for the Spanish Steps came from a Frenchman.
- There are 135 stairs covering a change in elevation of 29 metres (95 feet).
- The staircase is dedicated to the Holy Trinity. This is reflected in its design by the three tiers of steps, representing Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
The Fountain at the Base of the Steps: Inspiration Facts
The Fontana della Barcaccia, a whimsical fountain in the shape of a little boat in Piazza di Spagna, was inspired by a real boat that was carried into the piazza by the Tiber River when it overflowed in 1598. The boat remained when the waters receded, giving Bernini the idea for the sculptural fountain that continues to enchant both children and adults yet today.
Driving on the Staircase: The Wackiest Fact
On two occasions cars have been driven down the steps. Yes, really! As you’ve probably already guessed, the drivers were inebriated (and promptly arrested).
Why May Is the Best Time to Visit the Spanish Steps
May is the best time to visit the Spanish Steps because the azaleas are in bloom and the staircase is exploding with pink.
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