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 | Rome Piazza di Spagna - Spanish Steps Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 325 |  |
 | |  |  | Piazza di Spagna - Spanish Steps: The Spanish Steps -- Sweeping You Up, Up | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
The Spanish Steps -- that incredibly sweep of architecture, lifting you from the Piazza di Spagna up, up to the extraordinary silhouette of the twin towers of Trinita' dei Monti (Trinity of the Mountains) and one of the 12 Egyptian obelisks you'll find in Rome (plus one more in the Vatican).
A twist of fate and nomenclature that they are named the Spanish Steps. Actually, it was the French who built them, to ease the way up to the French Church. But the Spanish Embassy used to reside at the bottom, hence the Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps. I never tire of walking up or down the steps (really!). They are beautiful at all times of day, all weather, even a cold rainy evening in February. Notice the three wide landings - reflective of the church they ascend to.
At the bottom, the famous fountain, La Barcaccia -- translation, sort of an old, ugly or useless boat -- by Bernini, either the dad, the son, Gian Lorenzo, or both. See how it seems to be sinking? Brilliant use of available resources, as the aquifer which is the source for the fountain delivers very little water pressure -- so no chance of a showy spray like the Trevi. Note the coat of arms - The Pope's hat (or rather, the crown, I guess) and Barberini bee of Pope Urban VIII.
At the top of the steps you'll have a wonderful view, but you are just a few minutes away from an even more spectacular view from the Pincio Hill at a far corner of the Villa Borghese. As you are facing the church, turn left. As you approach the park, take the ramp up to the prominent overlook (overlooking Piazza del Popolo, but so much more!) Leave a Comment Directions: the northeast corner of the Historical Center of Rome
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| | | | Piazza di Spagna - Spanish Steps: A small step for Spain, but a big step for Rome... | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Again one of the most popular spots in Rome. The Spanish steps got it’s name in 1723 in honour of the Spanish Embassy, even if that wasn’t a popular decision for France. This because the steps, that leads up to the big church Trinita dei Monti, are financed by money from France…
It’s a very popular meeting-point for both roman and other people, which sometimes means that it’s too crowded. I for sure wouldn’t decide the Spanish steps as a meeting point with a friend, since it must be easier to not find the friend that actually find him/her there…
But I do advice you to go there, since it’s a really nice place, perfect for people-looking, some relaxing or to get a perfect view over Rome.
Just ran up all the steps – and you’ll probably be dead… Instead go up slowly, watching out for all tourists that are sitting everywhere, and then take a look at the view when you’re up at the top.
At the bottom of the steps is a huge piazza, wellknown for centuries for it’s luxury fashion-shops. Can’t say I’m that thrilled by their prices, but it could always be nice to just look around.
There is also a big fountain, Fontana della Barcaccia, which is monument of a leaking boat. Made by Pietro Bernini, or his son, the more famous Gianlorenzo (see more at Villa Borghese). The water in the fountain should be drinkable, but since I’ve never actually tried it (always buy bottles with water in Rome, the tapped water tastes… well, not so good… It should be safe to drink it from the fountain, even if I’m not sure though…
UPDATE december 2007: Much less people in the winter evening for some reason... :) Was a nice view over Rome from the top, but actually quite cold to stay there for a longer time.
The stairs aren't the impressive without all the flowers either, and my poor friends who visited Rome for the first time were heavily disappointed about the Spanish Step. Leave a Comment
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| | | | Piazza di Spagna - Spanish Steps: Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna | Tip Rating: | | | | |
To be honest I was a little unimpressed by the Spanish Steps. The piazza was nice, the fountain beautiful, masses of people shopping and sightseeing... I even did the tourist thing and had a picture taken of my friend and I sitting on the steps, but it was still a bit disappointing.
I think the main reason for this, was that when I was at the foot of the steps, looking up at the Trinita dei Monti, it had a huge advertisement for 'Nike' on it - which really ruined it. Plus I had seen pictures of the steps, with beautiful green plants and colourful flowers on it - but there were none there when I went. It was still cool to be there on the Spanish Steps - but like I said, a little disappointing as well.
This piazza was named after the Spanish, because this is where the Spanish embassy was in the 17th Century. The square is very nice and picturesque with a fountain just in front of the Spanish Steps. The fountain is called 'Barcaccia', which means 'the boat' and was designed by Gian Lorenzo Bernini in the early 17th Century (This was to commemorate a flood of the Tiber that had reached up to this area in 1598).
If you love shops like Prada, Yves Saint Laurent, Fendi, Armani, Versace and Bulgari - then head straight to Piazza di Spagna as they are all in the immediate area! Just remember that this is high-fashion, so there are also extremely (and ridiculously) high prices! Leave a Comment Website: http://www.piazzadispagna.it/
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