Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps)

Piazza di Spagna (Spanish Steps)

A grand 18th-century stairway links an embassy to a church, featuring Bernini's fountain and surrounded by chic shops and cafés, exuding a cosmopolitan vibe.
Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps form one of Rome’s most recognisable urban set-pieces. Built in the 18th century to connect the Bourbon Spanish Embassy with Trinità dei Monti above, the stairway has long attracted artists, writers and visitors. At its base is Bernini’s Barcaccia Fountain, while the surrounding streets have become associated with elegant shops and cafés. The whole area retains a cosmopolitan, theatrical air.