Spanish Steps in Rome – A popular Tourist Attraction
The unique and elegant atmosphere of the Spanish Steps are among the most popular and well know spots in Rome.
With 138 steps of pure style and elegance, the Spanish Steps bring energy and life to this wonderful place. This area was built in the late 1700s, it attracts and is frequented by tourists and italians to live this incredible atmosphere.
Spanish Steps is called “Scalinata” in italia. A set of steps in one of the most beutiful areas of Rome. Spanish Steps, despite of its name, was actually built by the French.
“Scalinata di Spagna” was built between 1723 and 1725 by tienne Gueffier, a French diplomat. It’s easy to recognize it at the Piazza di Spagna square rectangle like shape.
This place is one of the most popular tourist spots in Rome. The Scalinata is no doubt the widest and longest staircase in all Europe.
At the base of the square is the fountain called “La Fontana della Barcaccia” (”Fountain of the Old Boat”), built in 1627-29 by Bernini. Legend has it that, Pope Urban VIII after he had been impressed by a boat brought here by a flood of the Tiber river wanted the fountain installed .
Bernini is said to have used the Boat as a sign of safety from floods from the Tiber River.
During May, part of the steps are covered by pots of beautiful “Azalea” flowers (flowering shrubs making up part of the genus Rhododendron and subgenus Pentanthera), earning also the name by the Romans as the “Garden Stairs”.
This means that the Summer is approaching. The weather in Rome it’s hot, in Fall as well sometimes. That’s why cafes, restaurants and stores near the Spanish Steps are a very popular destination.
The steps are not a place for eating lunch, being forbidden by Roman regulations, but in Rome where everything is calm and peaceful, it’s likely you will still see some people snacking on a sandwich or “tramezino” (Typical Roman Sandwich) sipping up on a cold drink.
Spanish Steps is now also a meeting point and here you can take a ride in a carriage pulled by a horse. The house at the very first step to the right is where John Keats (the English Poet) lived and died in 1821.
Today is a museum open to the public dedicated to his memory, full of memorabilia of the English Romantic generation.
Halfway up on the right is the apartment you can see the place used for The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone (1961).
American singer/songwriter Bob Dylan refers to the “Spanish Stairs” in his classic “When I Paint My Masterpiece” (1971). Today modern terraces lay in perfect harmony with the surrounding baroque context.
When visiting Rome, enjoy the Spanish Steps on your trip. Rent an accommodation near the Spanish Steps and get the best Rome has to offer.
Thanks for visiting our Qivana site.
Comments
Got something to say?
You must be logged in to post a comment.