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The piazza, church and famous Scalinata Spagna
(Spanish Steps) have long provided a gathering place for foreigners.
Built with a legacy from the French in 1725, but named after the
Spanish Embassy to the Holy See (which is still located in the piazza),
the steps lead to the French church, Trinità dei Monti. In
the 18th century the most beautiful women and men of Italy gathered
here, waiting to be chosen as an artist's model. In May each year
the steps are decorated with pink azaleas. lf you can't manage the
steps there's a lift to the top outside the Spanish Steps metro
station. It might look like the perfect spot for a picnic, but don't
get too enthusiastic. Theoretically you are not allowed to eat whilst
sitting on the steps. The municipai police who patrol the area can
be quite strict, and transgressors can be fined. lt's all aimed
at keeping the steps clean after a major restoration in 1995-96,
but the police would do better to catch the vandals who are defacing
Rome's monuments with graffiti.
In the piazza is the boat-shaped fountain called the Barcaccia,
believed to be by Pietro Bernini, father of the famous Gian Lorenzo.
The Viale della Trinità dei Monti at the top of the steps
leads to the Pincio. Half way along the road on the right is the
Villa Medici, perhaps Rome's best piece of real estate with undoubtedly
one of the city's best views. The palazzo was built for Cardinal
Ricci da Montepulciano in 1540. Ferdinando dei Medici bought it
in 1576 and it remained his family's property until Napoleon acquired
it in 1801, when the French Academy was transferred here... |
