Spanish Steps Rome

Named for the Spanish Embassy located on the Piazza, the Piazza di Spagna and the Spanish Steps are a fine place to spend a warm spring morning in Rome. Although eating on the steps is no longer allowed and will get you a sharp reprimand from a passing official, it is still a great locating for people watching, mixing with the locals and catching up on those postcards home. The Spanish Steps were built in three graceful tiers in order to represent the Holy Trinity to church goers as they climbed up to attend Mass at the Church of Trinita Dei Monti. Situated at the top of this grand staircase and built by the kings of France, one of the best views of Rome can be had from the church's balustrade. At the bottom of the steps is a lovely fountain by the elder Bernini, where children and pigeons are often found enjoying the water in equal number. If you visit in the spring, you'll find the steps awash in the pinks and reds of hundreds of blooming azaleas cascading down the tiers. You can easily reach the Spanish Steps and Piazza di Spagna from the line A of the metro. Exit the Piazza di Spagna station and follow the crowd, turning left as you enter the piazza in order to get to the steps. As information, if you continued past the steps you'd quickly come to Rome's American Express Office. When you're ready to leave the area, head down Via Condotti for a window shopping experience of some of the most famous fashion designers in Italy.