What is so special about Rome's "Spanish steps?"?

Question

Hi, we are going to Rome next week and I have been doing some research on the internet. I notice that Rome is mainly just a lot of old buildings, and so we will be walking around just LOOKING at these buildings.

But one thing puzzles me. There is a staircase called the "Spanish steps" and everyone says how wonderful, you must go there and see these steps. But from what I can make out, it is just SOME STEPS with a load of people sitting about on them. There does not seem to be anything so wonderful about these steps.

So can anyone explain what is the fascination with Rome's famous "Spanish steps?" Is it just to "see and be seen" or something?

Answer 1

You've been down via Condotti looking in all the fashion shops.  You get to the end and you're exhausted.  Then you find these handy steps to sit on with quite an interesting fountain to look at.

The alternative is Brown's tea rooms (in the square) but sitting on the steps is a lot cheaper.

Answer 2

It was something with one Pope... he was there laying the first stone or something... Check Wikipedia.

Answer 3

After walking down the via Condotti  you get to realx on the steps and do as Romans do.. watch and admire all the people .  It central in Rome and fun to hang out there, but be very careful of all the beggers Gypsies etc,.,,  they will rob you blind!  Great restaurants near by and the people are the most beautfiul people inthe world

Answer 4

iv'e no idea and quite frankly i'm not over bothered so you sit on them for me.`they are just steps to me

Answer 5

i bet it is a tourist trap

Answer 6

I was just in Rome and enjoyed it greatly.  You are right about the "Spanish Steps" though, they look like a gathering place for the sleazier citizens of Rome.

Answer 7

The Spanish Steps were made popular by an advertisement on C.N.N.  A lady had a translator and she was trying to say "Spanish Steps" in Italian.  Someone pointed them out and since then they have become the new "hip" thing to ask for in Rome.  If you are not a fan of art  or history, you are better off taking a train to Venice.  There is a little island named Lido.  You can get a bicycle and ride around the whole island in one day.  There are about four beautiful beaches and the food is excellent and about one tenth the prices in Venice.  The boats to and from Lido pass through Venice anyway, so you can see Venice on the way to or from Lido.  That is because I am a nature lover.

Boaz.

Answer 8

It is a see and be seen thing. I'd take your bobble hat off. Sharp dressers those Romans

Answer 9

Don't know the answer but you are right, they are just a bunch of steps! Still, it is Rome & everything is great there

Answer 10

Rome is a feast for the eyes. It's not just a lot of "old buildings". It is the fascination of seeing architecture that spans 3000 years! That's not something you can see everywhere. There are squares (like Piazza Venezia) where buildings from 30 centurys stand side be side, the effect being absolutely awsome. The Spanish Steps are beautiful because they are of white marble and there are gorgeous buildings and a fascinating little boat fountain there. And there is a particular atmosphere to it. By the way, the tea room is called "Babington's" not Brown's - but it's very, very expensive.

Answer 11

it's an iconic landmark bringing together the former spanish embassy and the holy see. there's a lot of nice architecture there, and s**y italian girls. good food in the area too. the whole place genrerates a nice atmostphere

if site-seeing isn't your thing, then maybe you should just go quad-biking or something