At the top of the Spanish Steps in Rome stands the Trinita dei Monti church. When Spain and France were the great powers of Europe, their rivalry played out here: the square below, home to the Spanish Embassy, represented Spain, while the church on the hill and its square were held by the French and called the French square. The late-Gothic French church was begun in 1502 by order of Louis XII of France and consecrated by Sixtus V in 1585, and an obelisk found at the Villa of Sallust stands in the square before it.
Passing the church and walking down the steps, you reach the famous square itself. Far off in a straight line, the luxury shopping street Via Condotti comes into view.
We happened to visit on January 1, so we caught the New Year festivities, including a small concert on the square. Walking through the Spanish Steps in Rome as the music rang out, I felt a little like Audrey Hepburn.
Midway up the steps stood model figures that looked like a nativity scene blessing the birth of baby Jesus. Seen from below, the square has its own history: in 1562, under Pius IV, the square took shape where the Aqua Vergine aqueduct split, next to the Spanish Embassy. Domenico Fontana linked the upper and lower squares with steps in 1587, but the staircase gained its present form in 1723 to 1726, when Francesco de Sanctis built the 138 travertine steps in three flights at the request of the French Embassy. Made famous in Korea by the film Roman Holiday starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, it draws crowds of tourists.
Around the square we also saw people riding horses, most likely part of the Italian New Year festivities.
Prices, hours and details in this post are from our visit in January 2008 and may have changed, so check the latest information before you go.