Piazza di Spagna

Piazza di Spagna

Guide When the short-haired Audrey sat on the grand staircase of Piazza di Spagna and brought the ice cream to her lips, those steps were destined to become a sacred site in the hearts of countless movie fans.

Built in 1725 with funding from a French ambassador, the staircase got its name because the Spanish Embassy is located here. The original plan was to build a fountain that could rival the Trevi Fountain, but the cost was too high, so they opted instead for these beautiful and magnificent steps. Nowadays, the steps are always crowded with people—not only tourists, but also flower vendors and street artists selling portraits. Locals love using this as a meeting spot, probably because saying “I’ll wait for you on the Xth step” is a very clear and foolproof meeting point. Even so, sitting on the steps still gives you a sense of the relaxed mood that Anne felt in the movie. Of course, eating ice cream is not allowed—the city government has long banned eating on the steps, which is a bit of a shame. Introduction

The grand staircase of Piazza di Spagna is a masterpiece by Baroque master Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The Church of the Santissima Trinità dei Monti overlooks the bustling crowd on the steps, while in front of the “Fountain of the Boat” at the base of the steps, you’ll often find people playing guitars or taking photos, as well as thirsty tourists cupping the water to drink. This fountain is the work of Pietro Bernini, father of Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Literary greats and artists such as Stendhal, Balzac, Wagner, Liszt, and Browning have all lived in this area. To the right of the Spanish Steps is the preserved home of John Keats, now the Keats-Shelley Memorial House—a must-visit for literature enthusiasts.

Keats-Shelley Memorial House: Address: Piazza di Spagna 26. Ticket: €3.5, free for children under 6. Opening hours: 9:00–13:00, 15:00–18:00; Saturdays 11:00–14:00, 15:00–18:00, closed on Sundays. Phone: (06) 6784235 Transport

Take Metro Line A to Spagna Station.

Rome, Italy