Piazza di Spagna is one of the most elegant squares in Rome and a popular meeting place.
Piazza di Spagna is one of the most elegant squares in Rome. Its ornate buildings, refined church, and exquisite fountain all add to the profound atmosphere of the place. The Spanish Steps complete the architectural ensemble. Uniting the Piazza di Spagna and the Piazza Trinita dei Monti, the steep staircase has become a popular meeting place.
The famous square owes its name to the Palazzo di Spagna, the seat of the Embassy of Spain. There is no doubt that Piazza di Spagna has a lot to offer to locals and visitors alike. In the middle of the square you can find an artistic fountain, called the Fountain of the Ugly Boat. Don’t be discouraged by its name! The baroque fountain represents a half sunken ship with water pouring into its bows. Created by one of the most talented Italian architects Bernini, the fountain was commissioned by Pope Urban VIII in 1627.
An admirer of the Romantic movement in English literature would be delighted to visit a museum dedicated to John Keats and Percy Shelley, situated on the right side of the square. The former house of John Keats, it now offers books and memorabilia of the renowned figures of the English Romantic period.
On the southeast end of the square, there is a monument portraying the Virgin Mary called the Column of the Immaculate Conception. The monument was commissioned by Ferdinand II, King of the two Sicilies and created by architect Luigi Poletti. The column is in celebration of Pope Pius IX’s declaration of the Immaculate Conception.
This fascinating square is a hit for the locals and visitors. If you're visiting it for the first time, you'll be taken aback by its beauty!
Piazza di Spagna
Piazza di Spagna, 00187 Rome
Places to Stay: