Known also as the Spanish Steps, the square gets its name from the Palazzo di Spagna, the site of the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See.
In the center of the square sits the Barcaccia Fountain, designed and sculpted in baroque style by Pietro Bernini with help of his son Gian Lorenzo. Looking onto the square are some important buildings such as the English poet John Keats' Italian home and the Palazzo della Propaganda Fide, property of the Vatican. To the side of the square is the smaller Piazza Mignanelli and the column of the immaculate conception to which the Pope pays homage every 8th December.
The visitor's eyes, however, are drawn to the famous stairs, built in 1725 for the Giubileo. The intention was to unite the Embassy with the Church of the Trinità dei Monti. The church holds a dominant position in the city and, like the Villa Medici beside it, is under French jurisdiction. The Spanish Steps area is without doubt the most elegant in Rome, home to many noble buildings and famous brand name shops found in the Via Condotti, Via Borgognona and Via del Babuino.
Find more information about the Spanish Steps here.
Not too far from the Spanish Steps and in the middle of the green heart of Rome - Villa Borghese - you will find the Boghese Gallery. This Gallery hosts a great many artworks by such famous artists as Bernini and Caravaggio. Don't miss this beautiful museum and visit our website: Book the Borghese Gallery guided tour