Description
Piazza di Spagna is one of Rome's most famous squares, at the foot of the Spanish Steps up to Trinità dei Monti. Seen from above it is shaped like a butterfly: two triangles joined at the tip. It is where Romans and travelers have been meeting for centuries.
The name comes from the Spanish embassy to the Holy See, which since 1622 has been housed in the palace overlooking the square. For centuries this was the foreigners' quarter: princes and sovereigns entered Rome by Porta del Popolo and found hotels and inns here.
In the center is the Barcaccia, the boat-shaped fountain by Pietro Bernini and his son Gian Lorenzo. The idea comes from the mock naval battles once staged in this area in ancient times.
A little farther on rises the Column of the Immaculate Conception, inaugurated in 1857 by Pius IX to commemorate the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The firefighters have a special task: since 1923 they climb their ladders up to the statue on top, for the floral tribute.
Beside the steps the English poet John Keats lived and died in 1821: his house is now a museum dedicated to him and his friend Shelley. Not far away, tea has been served at Babington's since 1893.
Above the square, the 136 steps of the Spanish Steps climb up to the church. People sit here to watch the comings and goings, which is why the steps have been called the "drawing room of Rome."
In the 1400s the square was already an important place for trade, thanks to the hotels and the foreigners' houses. Later, hackney carriages waited for customers in nearby Via delle Carrozze.
Spagna station on Metro line A is right here, and all you have to do is step out to find yourself in front of the Barcaccia and the steps: that is why it is the starting point of many visits to the center.
The name comes from the Spanish embassy to the Holy See, which since 1622 has been housed in the palace overlooking the square. For centuries this was the foreigners' quarter: princes and sovereigns entered Rome by Porta del Popolo and found hotels and inns here.
In the center is the Barcaccia, the boat-shaped fountain by Pietro Bernini and his son Gian Lorenzo. The idea comes from the mock naval battles once staged in this area in ancient times.
A little farther on rises the Column of the Immaculate Conception, inaugurated in 1857 by Pius IX to commemorate the dogma of the Immaculate Conception. The firefighters have a special task: since 1923 they climb their ladders up to the statue on top, for the floral tribute.
Beside the steps the English poet John Keats lived and died in 1821: his house is now a museum dedicated to him and his friend Shelley. Not far away, tea has been served at Babington's since 1893.
Above the square, the 136 steps of the Spanish Steps climb up to the church. People sit here to watch the comings and goings, which is why the steps have been called the "drawing room of Rome."
In the 1400s the square was already an important place for trade, thanks to the hotels and the foreigners' houses. Later, hackney carriages waited for customers in nearby Via delle Carrozze.
Spagna station on Metro line A is right here, and all you have to do is step out to find yourself in front of the Barcaccia and the steps: that is why it is the starting point of many visits to the center.