Spanish Steps

A wide set of 138 steps begin their ascent from the Piazza di Spagna, leading up to the Piazza Trinità dei Monti where the eponymous church sits. A sterling example of Roman Baroque beauty, the Spanish Steps were built between 1723 and 1725 by architect Francesco de Sanctis after the city received funds from French diplomat Étienne Gueffier. The Spanish Steps are collectively known as the widest stairway in Europe and are recognized as an iconic landmark in Rome's capital, attracting locals and tourists from all occupations. The Fountain of the Old Boat greets the steps at its base, and toward the right, is located the house of English poet John Keats. While the colossal sweep of this historic stairway is enough to invite attention, it appears even more captivating when corners of the steps are intermittently adorned in colored azaleas.