The Spanish Steps Roma - A Very Popular Italian Attraction
by: JillKammer |
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The famous Roman Spanish Steps might be slightly misnamed since they were actually built by the French, but they are a wonderful part of any tourist's visit to Rome. It is too easy to read about them and think, "What's the big deal? They are just stairs." And it is true that they are a means to an end - to walk to and from the Piazza di Spagna and the Villa Medici. But it is worth the effort to take your time on those steps and enjoy them for the ambiance they alone can hold for you.
The Spanish Steps or as they are otherwise known, the Scalinata di Spagna, are 137 steps that were built between 1723 and 1725. They can be found near a outdoor plaza that is triangular in shape called the Piazza di Spagna which itself is one of the most popular tourist sites in Rome.
The steps that you will find here are scenic, winding, elegant and artistic in their own right and they connect some areas of the city of Rome that are the most popular and beautiful in Italy. But the steps themselves are an attraction worth paying attention to. While they are lovely any time of year, the springtime causes them to burst with color and aroma as the azaleas from nearby municipal greenhouses explode with life.
In springtime the Spanish Steps come to life with flowers and people out enjoying the warm weather, knowing that it is soon to turn into a Roman summertime. Rome is capable of hot weather even into the fall. Near the steps there are elegant boutiques and a wide variety of shops, cafe's and delightful restaurants to sample. While Roman law forbids it now, tourists and locals alike used to love to get a light lunch and sit on the steps to soak up the atmosphere. But even with the rules, Romans know that the law is often not followed to the letter and you can still enjoy this tradition if you do as Romans do when in Rome.
When you reach the bottom of the stairs you will find another of the many great outdoor art pieces by Bernini called the La Barcaccia Fountain or the Fountain of the Old Boat. The ship that is the centerpiece of this stunning fountain might have been designed by Bernini's own son whose name was Gian Lorenzo. This wonderful fountain was built in 1627 under the commission of Pope Urbano VIII Barberini. The water from this fanciful fountain literally pours from the artistic "leaks" in the hull of the ship.
Enjoying a great work of outdoor art may put you in a literary mood so you can enjoy the Keats-Shelly Memorial House while you are there. After seeing two enjoyable sights, you may wish to partake in a cool beverage before you start your climb up the Spanish Steps.
Don't worry about getting weary on your climb because the designers placed three rest areas with plenty of flat space for you to relax, do some shopping, have a beverage or a snack and recuperate before resuming your climb. When you successfully climb all of the steps, look back on a gorgeous view and then it is on to the Church of Trinta dei Monti.
It took almost 200 years for this church, more formally known as the Santissima Trinita al Monte Pincio, to be built after construction got underway in 1502. The late Gothic style of the church makes it unique as does the neo-classical facade. The Roman fascination with Egyptian art is reflect by an obelisk that came to Rome in the third century that decorates the courtyard of the church.
If you are brave you may want to wander a few blocks to the well known Via Veneto but watch out, many an Italian girl has been flirted with and pinched in this neighborhood. While this pattern of behavior pretty much died out since the 1950s, it is still a fun part of Rome where you can continue to enjoy great food, beverages and shopping and admire the wonderful architecture all around you.
The Spanish Steps should be on the route of any visit to Rome. Even though the steps were created by the French and named for a Spanish Embassy that used to be nearby but is long gone now, that trivia only contributes to the international feel to this delightful Roman attraction.
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About the Author
The Roman Forum is one of the most phenomenal sites of archaeology on the planet. Even before the first century, the Roman Forum was well established as the center of politics for the Roman Empire and it was in place as a major part of Roman culture.
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