Piazza di Spagna

The Piazza di Spagna, in Rome

The Piazza di Spagna is one of the most famous squares of Rome, at the foot of the great baroque staircase and adorned with the Barcaccia fountain. The Rome audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this emblematic and elegant place, whose name recalls the embassy of Spain to the Holy See.

The square of the staircase and the Barcaccia

The Piazza di Spagna owes its name to the fact that in the seventeenth century, Spain had installed there its embassy to the Holy See, and that this sector then came under Spanish jurisdiction. It is today one of the most elegant and liveliest squares of Rome. It is dominated by the famous monumental staircase that rises up to the church of Trinità dei Monti, one of the finest baroque staircases of the world, a must-see meeting place. At the foot of the staircase, in the centre of the square, stands the Barcaccia fountain, in the form of a half-submerged boat, a work attributed to Bernini and his father, which evokes with poetry a stranded boat. The square and its surroundings concentrate the most prestigious luxury shops, making the quarter one of the high places of Roman fashion and refinement. An emblematic and elegant square, the Piazza di Spagna is a must-see stop of the discovery of Rome.

What to see

Here you enjoy one of the most elegant squares of Rome, whose name recalls the former embassy of Spain to the Holy See, dominated by the famous baroque staircase rising to Trinità dei Monti, and adorned at its foot with the Barcaccia fountain in the form of a boat, attributed to Bernini, surrounded by the most prestigious luxury shops. The Piazza di Spagna is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Piazza di Spagna lies in the heart of Rome, at the foot of the Pincio hill, reachable on foot and by public transport. It is a freely accessible public space; the shops around have their own hours. The square is lively at any hour; it is customary not to eat nor sit on the steps of the staircase.

Where does the name of the Piazza di Spagna come from in Rome?

From the fact that in the seventeenth century, Spain had installed there its embassy to the Holy See, this sector then coming under Spanish jurisdiction; the square is dominated by the famous baroque staircase rising to Trinità dei Monti and adorned with the Barcaccia fountain, attributed to Bernini.

Where is the Piazza di Spagna in Rome?

In the heart of Rome, at the foot of the Pincio hill, in Italy.