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...
