Piazza di Spagna in Rome

Located in the heart of Rome’s historic centre, at the crossroads of the capital’s most exclusive shopping streets, Piazza di Spagna is a must-see for any visitor exploring the Eternal City!

Follow the guide!

A Brief history of Piazza di Spagna

At the end of the 15^th century, Saint Francis of Paola, founder of the Order of Minims, acquired a vineyard with the support of King Charles VIII of France to build a convent: the Convent of the Trinità dei Monti.

In the 16^th century, a church adjoining the monastery was constructed at the request of King Louis XII of France and completed by Italian architects Giacomo della Porta and Carlo Maderno.

At the beginning of the 17^th century, Spain established its embassy to the Holy See on the square located below the Church of Trinità dei Monti, giving it the name Piazza di Spagna.

The now-famous Fontana della Barcaccia, designed by architects Pietro Bernini (the father) and Gian Lorenzo Bernini (the son), was installed on the square in 1629.

In the 18^th century, the streets surrounding Piazza di Spagna became a cosmopolitan hub of Rome.

The Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti), funded by the French under the direction of Cardinal Pierre Guérin de Tencin, were built between 1723 and 1726 to connect the Spanish Embassy to the Church of Trinità dei Monti.

The obelisk was placed at the top of the stairs in 1789, while the Column of the Immaculate Conception was erected facing the Palazzo di Propaganda Fide in 1854.

Piazza di Spagna is also known for hosting the legendary English poet John Keats in the final days of his life. He spent his last days at number 26 of the square, where he died of tuberculosis on February 24, 1821, at the age of 25.

Visiting Piazza di Spagna

Church of Trinità dei Monti

Perched on the Pincio Hill overlooking Piazza di Spagna, the Church of Trinità dei Monti is one of the five French churches in Rome.

Recognizable by its façade flanked by two symmetrical bell towers, the Church of Trinità dei Monti was fully restored in 1816 on the orders of King Louis XVIII, more than three centuries after its construction in 1495.

Inside, the church features several notable artworks worth seeing, including The Deposition by Daniele da Volterra.

In front of the church, don’t miss the Obelisk of Trinità dei Monti, built during the imperial Roman era in the style of Egyptian obelisks.

The Spanish Steps

Nicknamed the Spanish Steps, though they were built by the French, the Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti links the church to the Piazza di Spagna below.

Designed by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi, this vast baroque staircase has a total of 135 steps, divided by three terraces symbolizing the Holy Trinity.

The staircase is particularly magnificent in spring when it is adorned with blooming azaleas—a true marvel!

Fontana della Barcaccia

Located at the foot of the Spanish Steps, in the middle of Piazza di Spagna, the Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat) is the work of sculptors Pietro and Gian Lorenzo Bernini.

Installed in 1626, this baroque masterpiece represents a leaking boat, an allegory of the dramatic flood that struck Rome in the winter of 1598 following a violent rise of the Tiber River.

Commissioned by Pope Urban VIII—a member of the Barberini family—the sculpture is adorned with his coat of arms: the papal tiara, as well as the sun and bees, symbols of the Barberini family.

Column of the Immaculate Conception

Erected in 1854, facing the Palazzo di Propaganda Fide, the Column of the Immaculate Conception is located in Piazza Mignanelli, which extends from Piazza di Spagna.

Designed by architect Luigi Poletti, the column celebrates the proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception under Pope Pius IX (following a heated debate that agitated the Church for several centuries).

The column features a marble base supporting a nearly 12-meter-high cipollino marble column, topped by a bronze statue of the Virgin Mary by sculptor Giuseppe Obici. The marble base is adorned with four statues representing King David, the prophet Isaiah, the prophet Ezekiel, and Moses.

Famous Palaces of Piazza di Spagna

Among the beautiful warm-toned buildings bordering Piazza di Spagna, two deserve special attention:

• The Palazzo Propaganda Fide (Palace of the Propagation of the Faith): built between 1644 and 1667, it is the work of two prominent architects: Bernini for the main façade and Francesco Borromini for the side façade.
• The Palazzo Monaldeschi: located at number 63 of Piazza di Spagna, this beautiful baroque palace, expanded in the 17^th century by Francesco Borromini and Antonio del Grande, is the seat of the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See.

Keats-Shelley House

Located at number 26 of Piazza di Spagna, where the English poet John Keats spent his final days, the Keats-Shelley House is a museum dedicated to the English Romantic poets John Keats and Percy Bysshe Shelley.

Literature enthusiasts will enjoy the visit; others may choose to skip it without regret.

Giorgio de Chirico House-Museum

Located in the 16^th-century Palazzetto del Borgognoni, the Giorgio de Chirico House-Museum displays works by the famous Italian artist. De Chirico purchased the palace in 1948 and spent the last thirty years of his life there. Upon his death in 1978, his widow left the house unchanged. It was converted into a museum in 1998.

Note that visits are by appointment only, and the museum is closed on Mondays and Sundays.

You can book your visit directly on the museum’s website.

Babington’s Tea Room

Opened in 1893, Babington’s Tea Room is the oldest tea room in Rome. It’s the perfect spot for a delicious break between sightseeing!

The surroundings of Piazza di Spagna

The areas surrounding Piazza di Spagna are filled with designer boutiques from iconic brands like Armani, Prada, Hermès, and Versace.

Via del Corso, Via Condotti, Via Frattina, and Via del Babuino are a shopping paradise for fashion enthusiasts. Ready your credit cards!

Practical Information

Halfway between the Trevi Fountain and the Villa Borghese, Piazza di Spagna is located in Rome’s historic center.

The nearest metro station is Spagna. Hop-on-hop-off buses, which are very convenient for exploring the city in the open air, also stop near the square.

Skip the lines: book your tickets and tours in Rome!

Credits
Ptra | Gabriella Clare Marino | Gabriella Clare Marino | Lalupa | Rodney | Alex Blăjan