Spanish steps
Spanish steps - pictures, photos, facts and information on Spanish steps (Rome)
Spanish Steps Picture:
Spanish steps
Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Spagna) in Rome connects the Piazza di Spagna at the base and Piazza Trinita dei Monti with the church Trinita dei Monti. They are the longest and widest steps in whole Europe. The steps attract tourists as well as locals who use it as a gathering place so the place can get very crowded.
The steps were built on the request of Innocent XII to connect the Spanish Embassy with the Church. The steps were created by Francesco De Sanctis between 1723 and 1725 for money of French diplomat Étienne Gueffier’s bequeathed funds. Since its construction, Spanish Steps have been restored several times, the last reconstruction was in 1995 and since that time it has been forbidden to eat while sitting on the stairs.
During Christmas, there is a 19th century crib displayed on the steps. In May the steps are partly covered by pots of azaleas. There is also a small cut-flower market.
Piazza di Spagna was at the end of the seventeenth century called Trinità dei Monti, after the church that dominates the square from above, but it was later given the name we know today after the Spanish Ambassador who lived there. In the In the Piazza di Spagna (that has characteristic butterfly plan) there is a fountain called La Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat) designed and built by Pietro Bernini and his son Gian Lorenzo in 1627 – 1629. The fountain recalls the historic flood of the River Tiber in 1598 and refers to a folk legend whereby a fishing boat carried away by the flood of the river was found at this exact spot. The work was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII. It the house at the base of the steps there is a museum dedicated to John Keats and English romantic generation. John Keats lived and died here in 1821.
The church of Trinita dei Monti stands at the top of the steps. With its twin towers it dominates the skyline. The church was built in 1502 by Louis XII, next to St. Francis di Paola's monastery. From this square, you have an nice view over Rome.
The steps were built on the request of Innocent XII to connect the Spanish Embassy with the Church. The steps were created by Francesco De Sanctis between 1723 and 1725 for money of French diplomat Étienne Gueffier’s bequeathed funds. Since its construction, Spanish Steps have been restored several times, the last reconstruction was in 1995 and since that time it has been forbidden to eat while sitting on the stairs.
During Christmas, there is a 19th century crib displayed on the steps. In May the steps are partly covered by pots of azaleas. There is also a small cut-flower market.
Piazza di Spagna was at the end of the seventeenth century called Trinità dei Monti, after the church that dominates the square from above, but it was later given the name we know today after the Spanish Ambassador who lived there. In the In the Piazza di Spagna (that has characteristic butterfly plan) there is a fountain called La Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat) designed and built by Pietro Bernini and his son Gian Lorenzo in 1627 – 1629. The fountain recalls the historic flood of the River Tiber in 1598 and refers to a folk legend whereby a fishing boat carried away by the flood of the river was found at this exact spot. The work was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII. It the house at the base of the steps there is a museum dedicated to John Keats and English romantic generation. John Keats lived and died here in 1821.
The church of Trinita dei Monti stands at the top of the steps. With its twin towers it dominates the skyline. The church was built in 1502 by Louis XII, next to St. Francis di Paola's monastery. From this square, you have an nice view over Rome.
