The Spanish Steps or the Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti, as the name suggests is a long and grand staircase in Rome which connects the Piazza di Spagna at the base and the Piazza Trinità dei Monti at the top. The stairway was built in the 1720s in an effort to connect the Vatican with the Spanish embassy and hence the name, Spanish Steps. The building at the top of the steps is the Trinita dei Monti, a church built in the 16th century. The 138-step staircase were commissioned in order to create easy access between Palazzo Monaldeschi, home of the Embassy of Spain and the Church of Trinita’ dei Monti, which dominates the top of the square above the steps.
It was a unique design and at its time a very daring architectural feat, as it comprises of ramps and stairs which intersect and open out like a fan. The Spanish Steps serve as the backdrop for many displays and events throughout the year in Rome, including extraordinary floral displays in the spring, a nativity scene at Christmas, and a fashion show called Donna Sotto le Stelle in the summer.
There are a couple of things worth noting in the Piazza di Spagna at the base of the steps – the fountain in the center of the piazza, called Fontana della Barcaccia (Fountain of the Old Boat), and the house where English poet John Keats died in 1821. The building is to the right of the steps, just as you are beginning to climb. Today, the building houses a Keats museum.
It is suggested that you check out the Spanish Steps while you are on a holiday in Italy and you can hire a car to take you to this place from other places. There are a number of travel websites which offers excellent rates for car renting. The internet can give you all the details that you shall need, like availability of car rental, rental rates and available fleet, models of the cars available for a specific period you wish to hire.
The other convenient and cheaper mode for car rental is special vacation packages with low car rental charges, no hidden costs, no booking fee or credit card swipe charges. Renting a car in Italy because it gives you the independence to travel where and when you want and to find your way off the beaten path. Car Rental Italy caters to all the needs of Italian tourists, who wish to explore the tourist attractions in and around Italy.