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Walking Tours of Rome

The Spanish Steps

6/6/2019

 
Walking Tours of Rome
The Spanish Steps, Rome
The Spanish Steps

The world's most famous flight of steps looks particularly splendid in the Spring when it is adorned with dozens of terracotta pots full of azaleas. 

The Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti, to give the Spanish Steps its proper name, was designed by Francesco de Sanctis (1679-1731) and built between 1723 and 1726. 

The steps, which link the Piazza di Spagna with the French church of Santissima Trinità dei Monti, often simply called the Trinità dei Monti, rise in three distinct flights, a clear reference to the Holy Trinity.

The stone balls, at the base of the steps, are alternately decorated with the fleur-de-lys of the French monarchy and the eagle of the coat of arms of Pope Innocent XIII (r. 1721-24).

Eagle of Pope Innocent XIII, Spanish Steps, Rome
Heraldic eagle of Pope Innocent XIII

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    My name is David Lown and I am an art historian from Cambridge, England.

    Since 2001 I have been living in Italy, where I run
    ​ walking tours of Florence, Rome &
    Venice.

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  • Private Tours
    • Private Tours of Rome
    • Private Tours of Florence
    • Private Tours of Venice
  • Contact
  • Rome
  • Vatican
  • Florence
  • Venice
  • Tuscany
  • Gallery
  • Year in Art