The capital of Italy is daunting and impressive with its beauty. The streets of Rome are filled with quirky architecture that reflects the city's glorious history. For millennia, Rome has experienced ups and downs. Despite the destruction of the Roman Empire, after its power and prosperity, the city continued to preserve its unique beauty and originality. The modern appearance of ancient Rome is framed in the wise grandeur of the past.
One of the relatively historically late and unusual sights of Rome is the Spanish Steps. It is considered the most grandiose and widest architectural descent in Europe. The square, where the step ascent is located, has attracted the attention of artists, writers, travelers and influential aristocrats from time immemorial. The ensemble, erected in the 18th century, symbolizes the historically complex political relations between France and Spain.
Why is the staircase called Spanish
After the collapse of the Roman Empire, fragmented kingdoms were formed on the modern territory of the ancient state, which were constantly attacked by strong neighboring powers. Rome turned out to be a stronghold of the Christian world, which was formed in the form of a sovereign country - the Papal State. The state was ruled by an episcopate headed by the Pope. For centuries, powerful French and Spanish communities have exerted their pressure on the political course of the Papal States.
In 1502, at the initiative of King Louis XIII of France, the Trinita dei Monti shrine was erected on the top of the Roman hill of Pincho. The church was supposed to prove the benevolent disposition of the Romans to the French king. However, at the beginning of the 17th century, at the foot of the slope, just opposite the church, the embassy of the Kingdom of Spain settled. A luxurious residence clearly dominated the French temple.
The situation turned out to be such that symbols of warring rival countries turned out to be not far from each other. The area where the two attractions are located became known as the Spanish one. In order to avoid a political quarrel between the Papal State and two influential powers, it was decided to territorially connect the church and the embassy with a single luxurious staircase. Subsequently, it was she who received the popular name by the name of the square. By the will of fate, its construction will take place much later.
Construction history
The staircase in the Roman square has a rather complicated construction history. In the middle of the 17th century, a series of fierce wars began between Spain and France. This chain of conflicts between countries has made its own adjustments in the improvement of the neighborhood around the square. The war, which lasted more than 20 years, delayed the construction of the staircase.
When the confrontation between the two monarchical powers subsided, the French ambassador to Rome, Etienne Gouffier, allocated substantial funds for the construction of the monumental staircase. The main concept of the construction was to improve diplomatic relations, as well as to conclude an unbreakable alliance between France and Spain. The implementation of this plan was hampered by the ambition of one of the parties.
Cardinal Mazarin, who is the first minister of the French kingdom, wished for the staircase to be crowned with a sculptural composition headed by the image of Louis XIV on horseback. The Pope and the Spanish side opposed this idea. Construction had to be suspended again. In 1723, the construction of the staircase was resumed. At this time, the political situation in France changed. The young Roman architect Francesco de Sanctis dared to carry out the project, having won the competition among the city's architects. The land of the steep slope, on which the staircase was supposed to rise, was regularly washed away by torrential streams.
There was a danger that the ground would not withstand the heavy structures of the stepped ramp. It took two whole years to carry out activities to strengthen the soil. According to the project, the staircase acquired a wide three-tiered passage, framed by two side narrow spans. It leads to the observation deck, which was placed in the center at the top of the hill, and decorated with a balustrade around. The elegant staircase included 138 steps with a concave, heterogeneous, but symmetrical shape. For their manufacture, a stone was used that combines the properties of limestone and marble - travertine.
Large deposits of this material were located on the outskirts of Rome. In some places the stairs were narrow, while in others they were wider. The difference in the size of the overhead treads is explained by the fact that the architect wanted to give the structure an unusual attractive appearance. The side part of the building was formed by stone parapets, decorated with the symbols of the Pope and the heraldic sign of the kings of France. The final completion of the construction took place in 1725.
Fountain Barcaccia
At the foot of the Spanish Steps there is a small fountain of Barcaccia. The pool was installed in 1629. The structure expresses by its appearance a half-sunken boat, from the slits of which water flows. The boat is in the center of the pool. The author of this project is Pietro Bernini. During the Middle Ages, Rome was flooded several times. The waters of the Tiber River, emerging from the unfortified banks, spilled over the entire historical center of the city. This spontaneous cataclysm was captured in the form of a fountain.
According to legend, after a natural disaster, a wooden ship was thrown into the Plaza de España, on which barrels of wine were transported. The sight of a half-sunken boat inspired the sculptor to create a white marble water complex in this place. The architect adorned his creation with the heraldic symbol of the Pope of that time Urban III - a relief image of the sun and bees. The sculptural work fits perfectly into the overall architectural ensemble of the square. The fountain is supplied with water from a clean drinking source, so many residents and guests of Rome do not hesitate to fill their glasses, flasks and quench their thirst with it.
Spanish Steps today
In the 20th century, the staircase gained its worldwide popularity after the release of the Oscar-winning film "Roman Holiday" starring Audrey Hepburn. In the film, the actress was eating ice cream while sitting on the steps of the stairs. Today, many tourists want to repeat the adventures of the film star. In 1992, a fashion show of clothes from famous world brands took place on the Spanish Steps. Graceful steps served as an impromptu podium for models defiling.
Travertine steps made the monumental structure strong and durable. Therefore, the staircase has not undergone major restoration for more than 250 years. However, at the end of the 20th century, it began to lose its original appearance. The exquisite beauty of the monumental structure has been eaten away by the ravages of time and precipitation. Large crowds of tourists have also left their mark. The steps of the staircase were darkened, loosened and cracked. The damaged appearance of the ancient landmark of Rome forced the municipality to temporarily close the building from visitors.
In 2015, thanks in large part to private sponsors, the renovation of the dilapidated staircase began. The restoration cost 1.5 million euros. A year later, the grand opening of the renewed attraction took place. The Mayor of Rome, Virginia Raji, promised to constantly pay special attention to the ancient staircase. The head of the city administration ordered the police to strictly monitor the behavior of people and suppress their illegal actions.
Today's staircase is a favorite resting place for both residents and guests of Rome. In good weather, street performers and circus performers always stage performances here. In summer and spring, the northern part of the building is decorated with flowering azaleas. Numerous festive Christmas events are held in winter. Everything is replete with bright lights and is filled with the fun of vacationers.
Where is it located and how to get there
The Spanish Steps, like a magnet, attracts crowds of tourists. It is located in the Plaza de España in the northern part of Rome. You can get to it by metro, getting to the Spagna station or just walking. There are many bus routes in this part of the city.
