Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti (aka Spanish Steps) were built in 1717, and tourists have been climbing them ever since. At the top is the Piazza Trinità dei Monti and its dominant landmark Chiesa Santissima Trinità dei Monti (1585). The Roman-constructed obelisk was moved to the Piazza Trinità dei Monti in 1789.
At the bottom of the 135 steps (best to count while walking down) is Piazza di Spagna and its splashy, very Baroque Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Ugly Boat), completed in 1629. The fountain, which is splendid and really engaging for small children, was damaged by Dutch soccer hooligans in 2015. What is the matter with people?
It was another hot day in Rome, but a couple of us made it to the top of the steps before enjoying the view and some shade. The colors of the buildings around us are amazing. The two-tone cream building on the left (when looking down the steps) is apparently where John Keats lived out his last year. We should all be so fortunate as to spend our last year here.
No famous people are immortalized in this shot. There were several with me, but they are buried in the crowd.
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