The Spanish Steps - This Will Complete Our First Site-Seeing Day In Rome

The Spanish Steps were named after a local 17th century ambassador's residence. No ordinary staircase, the steps are a bewildering mix of curves, straight flights, vistas, and terraces, usually covered with huge pots of flowers and lounging sightseers. Although the views from the top are superb, most people cluster around the Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the steps.

The Spanish Steps (as the Scalinata della Trinita' dei Monti is known in English) are a majestic series of three flights of steps that lead up to the impressive double-belltowered church (before which stands an obelisk). This complex can best be seen from far down Via dei Condotti. In early summer they are sometimes completely covered with flowers of many colours making a delightful sight. In summer the myriad of tourists who come here often just sit on the steps to soak in the atmosphere and watch the street sellers and the charicature artists who work at the foot of the steps plying their skills.