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The
Hotel Forum Rome - Luxury Quality Accomodation
Rome Italy
The
piazza, church and famous Scalinata Spagna (Spanish
Steps) have long provided a gathering place
for foreigners. Built with a legacy from the
French in 1725, but named after the Spanish
Embassy to the Holy See (which is still located
in the piazza), the steps lead to the French
church, Trinità dei Monti. In the 18th
century the most beautiful women and men of
Italy gathered here, waiting to be chosen as
an artist's model. In May each year the steps
are decorated with pink azaleas. lf you can't
manage the steps there's a lift to the top outside
the Spanish Steps metro station. It might look
like the perfect spot for a picnic, but don't
get too enthusiastic. Theoretically you are
not allowed to eat whilst sitting on the steps.
The municipai police who patrol the area can
be quite strict, and transgressors can be fined.
lt's all aimed at keeping the steps clean after
a major restoration in 1995-96, but the police
would do better to catch the vandals who are
defacing Rome's monuments with graffiti.
In
the piazza is the boat-shaped fountain called
the Barcaccia, believed to be by Pietro Bernini,
father of the famous Gian Lorenzo. The Viale
della Trinità dei Monti at the top of
the steps leads to the Pincio. Half way along
the road on the right is the Villa Medici, perhaps
Rome's best piece of real estate with undoubtedly
one of the city's best views. The palazzo was
built for Cardinal Ricci da Montepulciano in
1540. Ferdinando dei Medici bought it in 1576
and it remained his family's property until
Napoleon acquired it in 1801, when the French
Academy was transferred here...
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