THE SPANISH STEPS IN ROMA

There are many beautiful and fun places to see in Roma. One of my favorite's is the Spanish Steps and the reason is because there is always a party atmosphere present. The Spanish Steps are a set of steps that climb a steep slope between the Piazza di Spagna at the base and the Piazza Trinita die Monti, dominated by the Trinita die Monti church at the top. It is the widest staircase in Europe!! The stairway with 138 steps was built with French diplomat Etienne Gueffier's bequeathed funds of 20,000 scud in 1723-1725, linking the Bourbon Spanish Embassy and the church that was under the patronage of the Bourbon kings of France. The stairway was designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi. In the Piazza di Spagna at the base is the early Baroque fountain called Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat) built in 1627-1629.

This is the view when walking into the Piazza di Spagna. Already there are people gathering in the piazza. You can see the very bottom of the steps on the right.

The apartment that was the setting for the movie, The Roman Spring of Mrs Stone (1961) is halfway up on the right.

Looking up at the Spanish Steps, you can already see a large gathering of people. It was about 6 PM still early in the night for Roma.

The famous fountain is the center of the Piazza di Spagna and a focal point for most of the activity that you will find every time you visit. You will see many people of all ages, ethnicities and sexes drinking from, filling their bottles, or just posing waiting to have their picture taken from this famous spot!!

I'm not sure who this attractive young women was speaking to or about what but she seemed oblivious to her surroundings and the crowd walking around here!!!!

A reminder of the economy of Europe was that at many of the iconic spots you would see a large advertisement. This was what you saw if you were sitting on the stairs and were looking straight ahead!! I saw signs like this on the sides of very old churches, kind of sad !!

At the Spanish Steps and all over Italy you see examples of romance and love!! You're always seeing couples holding each other close and enjoying the romance that is Italy !!