The Spanish Steps: A Short Guide

Few places in Rome exude romance like the Spanish Steps. Since the 18th century, these steps have served as the Italian capital's most picturesque meeting point for aspiring artists (and their prospective models), young lovers, and world-renowned poets like Percy Shelley and John Keats, the latter of whom passed away in a small room overlooking the Spanish Steps.

Many consider the Spanish Steps a highlight of Rome's Baroque era. But why exactly are they so famous? What were they for? And considering they were built to connect the streets of Italy's capital with the French Church of Santa Trinità dei Monti, what exactly makes them Spanish?

The Spanish Steps' Architect

The Spanish Steps were designed by two rather obscure architects named Francesco De Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi ('Alexander Mirrors' as his name translates in English). And the reason they were built was to connect the Spanish Square at the base of the Pincian Hill with the church at the top.

Pope Innocent XIII decided to hold a competition for artists of Rome to design the new staircase and Francesco won. During this period of time, it was common for Pope’s to commission art to the winners of competitions. It is believed to have inspired the artists. The Trevi Fountain has a similar story. 

Engraving of the Spanish Steps by Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720 – 1778)

Are the Spanish Steps Spanish or French?

The church located at the top of the Spanish Steps is called Trinita di Monti. During the 18th century, this church was under the patronage of the Kings of France, and the stairs which led up to them 'La Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti' were funded by the patronage of a French diplomat.

Originally there was nothing Spanish about the steps; they might as well have been the French Steps.

So why are they called the Spanish Steps? The Spanish Steps get their name from the square at their base, which is called the Spanish square, or "Piazza di Spagna." This square has been home to the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See (Vatican) since 1647. When Trinita dei Monti ended its patronage to the Kings of France the sneaky Spaniards saw the opportunity to name the steps after the square below rather than the church atop! 

The 'French' Church of Santa Trinità dei Monti

Dating to the beginning of the 16th century, Santa Trinità dei Monti was constructed during the reign of Louis XII of France to celebrate his invasion of Naples. Its first bricks were laid in 1502, but the church was left unfinished. Instead, it was left to Pope Sixtus V, 84 years later, to complete the church you see before you today.

While the church’s Italian Renaissance-style interior is impressive, it does not house any artworks of the most famous Great Masters. It does, however, contain several works produced by their students, most notably Michelangelo’s protégé, Daniele da Volterra, whose Assumption of the Virgin is believed to contain a portrait of Michelangelo himself.

The Church of Trinità dei Monti

Outside the church stands one of Rome's 13 obelisks. This one dates back to the 3rd century AD making it more than 1,000 years younger than many of Rome's other obelisks). It is often referred to as the Sallustian Obelisk as it spent more than a millennium standing in the gardens of the ancient Roman author Sallust before being erected here in 1789.

The 'Barcaccia': Bernini's Sinking Ship

The focal point of Piazza Spagna is the decorative fountain that stands in its centre.

This fountain was designed by Pietro Bernini, the father of the famous Gian Lorenzo Bernini. And it tells a fascinating story.

Legend says that Bernini drew inspiration for his fountain from a boat that had landed here almost 30 years before during the Christmas flood of 1598. Apparently, when the River Tiber burst its banks the boat was carried into the heart of Rome and washed up here, some 500 metres from the river.

In fact, locals know this fountain as La Barcaccia (the Broken Boat), which is a composite of the Italian word for boat (barca) and the suffix -accia (broken). The fountain was built before the Spanish steps between 1627 and 1629.

La Barcaccia | Spanish Steps in Rome

The water that supplies the La Barcaccia comes from the Acqua Vergine, a Roman Aqueduct dating back more than 2,000 years to the Age of Augustus. Incredibly, this aqueduct is still in operation today, flowing more than 13 miles underground at depths of up to 40m to feed the Trevi Fountain and the fountains of Villa Borghese.

The Acqua Vergine is the last in use of the 11 major ancient aqueducts that supplied ancient Rome's people, fountains, and bathhouses. Traces of its cistern are visible right next to the Trevi Fountain in the so-called City of Water.

Cooling off in the Fontana della Barcaccia (just don’t jump in!!)

FAQs

How many steps are in the Spanish Steps?

The monument is made up of 135 marble steps spread across three terraces of tumbling balustrades.

Why are the Spanish Steps famous?

The Spanish Steps have both architectural and historical significance. Architecturally, they represent the longest and widest staircase in Europe. Historically, they bridged Rome's powerful French community with the wider Roman and Papal populace by connecting the square below with the French Church of Santa Trinità dei Monti on the Pincian Hill.