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5 steps to Rome

You are here: Home1 / Lazio2 / Roma3 / 5 steps to Rome

5 steps to Rome

Steps to Rome: Rome is famous for its steps and staircases, and most of them are attractions in their own right and not just something you happen to stumble across on your way to other sights.



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Here is my Top 5 of the most extraordinary steps in the city.

The Spanish Steps

5 steps to Rome

The Spanish steps are currently being renovated, but part of the steps should be opened again before Christmas 2015

The Spanish Steps is the widest and one of the most momentous staircases in Europe. The construction of the 135 steps leading from Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti was build in 1723-1725 according to designs by by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi to celebrate the peace treaty between France and Spain, linking the top of the hill (under French influence, with the church of Trinità dei Monti and French monastic institutions) to the Spanish embassy at the bottom of the hill. In the Renaissance, Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the stairs was lined with hotels, inns and residences where artists and writers stayed while in Rome. In consequence, the square and the Spanish Steps became one of the most it one of most frequently painted and described attractions in city.

Helix Stairs in The Vatican Museum

5 steps to Rome

The Helix Stairs in the Vatican Museum

One of the most beautiful staircases in Rome is the helix stairs in the Vatican Museums. The broad steps actually consist of two intertwined spirals; one leads up and another leads down to street level from the floor of the Museums. And the strange thing is that you can’t actually see the duplicity, while you are there, unless you notice the white and yellow lined steps at the bottom.

Compared to most other sights in Rome the twisted staircase is not that old, it was designed by Giuseppe Momo in 1932, but it is extremely popular – both as a sight and as a symbol of life, due to its resemblance to the double helix DNA strand (which was, however, discovered later).

Sancta Scala near Porta S. Giovanni

steps to Rome

Scala Sancta near the Lateran Basilica and Porta S. Giovanni

In Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano you’ll find the Scala Sancta, ie. the steps Jesus had to climb on his way to his trial by Pontius Pilate in Jerusalem. How the staircase ended up in Rome beats me, but the teleportation is normally attributed to Saint Helena, who had a special talent for finding Christian relics. The 28 steps in wood encased white marble have been an important pilgrim site for centuries, and if you kneel you can still see the marks left by the blood of Christ on the marble.

Stairs to the Dome of St. Peter’s Basilica

steps to Rome

View over Peter’s Square from the top of the dome

Another personal favourite are the stairs leading to the dome of Saint Peter’s, where you can see the town over the head of Bernini’s 140 statues lining the colonnade. It is an extremely crammed and narrow winding staircase leading to a magnificent and dizzying view Saint Peter’s Square and Rome. On the internet, people argue about whether there are 320 or 500 steps to the top. I didn’t keep count, but it is a hard climb, and a lot of people prefer to take the elevator part of the way.

Steps to Piazza del Campidoglio

5 steps to Rome

Steps leading up to Piazza del Campidoglio in Rome

Capitoline Hill between the Forum and Campus Martius is one of the seven hills in Rome, and the only one incorporated in an urban plan by Michelangelo.The Renaissance artist and architect designed Piazza del Campidoglio with the surrounding palaces. Ascending the hill Michelangelo devised a sloping Cordonata with steps so wide that horse riders could ascend without dismounting. The monumental balustrade is guarded by giant statues of Castor and Pollux; Twin brothers who, according to legend, fought at the head of the Roman army at the Battle of Lake Regillus and subsequently brought news of the victory back to Rome.

More that 5 steps to Rome

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Tracking Bernini in Rome

28 replies
  1. Kris Koeller
    Kris Koeller says:
    June 29, 2011 at 3:07 pm

    This is a great list. I’ve been pining to see Rome for years, and Italy is really the only country in Europe I haven’t visited. Looking forward to it!

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      June 29, 2011 at 3:16 pm

      I’m sure you won’t be disappointed:)

      Reply
  2. Sophie
    Sophie says:
    June 30, 2011 at 10:04 am

    Great idea for an article. I’ve been sitting on the Spanish steps a million times and often pondered why they’re called Spanish. Never remembered to check, though, so thanks for that info. Also, never climbed to the top of St Peter’s; didn’t know it was possible. Will next time. I’ll remember to count the steps :)

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      June 30, 2011 at 10:24 am

      Thanks. Hope you’ll let me know where the count ends, because I inevitably lose the thread, before I reach the top.

      Reply
  3. Emily @travelated
    Emily @travelated says:
    June 30, 2011 at 2:52 pm

    Wow! You’d never need a gym membership in Rome–just climb some steps! I want to try the Helix Stairs.

    What a great idea for a post :)

    Reply
  4. Cathy Sweeney
    Cathy Sweeney says:
    June 30, 2011 at 3:03 pm

    What an interesting article! I haven’t been to Rome and didn’t know about these staircases. Hope to climb them all myself sometime.

    Reply
  5. Abby
    Abby says:
    June 30, 2011 at 5:50 pm

    There’s something so romantic about a gorgeous staircase!

    Reply
  6. Laurel
    Laurel says:
    June 30, 2011 at 8:03 pm

    What an interesting idea for an article. I think the Helix Stairs were my favorite.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      August 2, 2011 at 8:33 am

      Hi Laurel, They’re mine too – I find the eternal circle has an instant appeal.

      Reply
  7. Don Faust
    Don Faust says:
    July 1, 2011 at 12:17 am

    Great list. I love Rome – was just there just a couple of month’s ago. I really loved the Scala Sancta – managed to get off a great shot from the top of the stairs.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      August 2, 2011 at 8:32 am

      Hi Don, I find it hard to photograph those places, so I’d love to see your shot.

      Reply
  8. LindyLouMac in Italy
    LindyLouMac in Italy says:
    July 1, 2011 at 5:26 pm

    The Spanish Steps will always be my favourite steps in Roma.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      August 2, 2011 at 8:30 am

      Judging from the crowds, a lot of people seem to share that view:)

      Reply
  9. Stephanie - The Travel Chica
    Stephanie - The Travel Chica says:
    July 1, 2011 at 7:09 pm

    I heart Rome! I have only been once for 3 days, so I didn’t really know about all of the staircases. A creative post.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      August 2, 2011 at 8:29 am

      Thanks Stephanie, It’s always nice to have something to look forward to.

      Reply
  10. Rennie Severn
    Rennie Severn says:
    July 1, 2011 at 7:13 pm

    The Spanish Steps is the widest and one of the most momentous staircases in Europe. The construction of the 135 steps leading from Piazza di Spagna to Piazza Trinità dei Monti was build in 1723-1725 according to designs by by architects Francesco de Sanctis and Alessandro Specchi to celebrate the peace treaty between France and Spain, linking the top of the hill (under French influence, with the church of Trinità dei Monti and French monastic institutions) to the Spanish embassy at the bottom of the hill. In the Renaissance, Piazza di Spagna at the foot of the stairs was lined with hotels, inns and residences where artists and writers stayed while in Rome. In consequence, the square and the Spanish Steps became one of the most it one of most frequently painted and described attractions in city.

    Reply
  11. ciaochowlinda
    ciaochowlinda says:
    August 1, 2011 at 5:51 pm

    Great idea for a blog post. I’ve been to all those places but that spiral staircase at the Vatican museum is the most elegant.

    Reply
    • admin
      admin says:
      August 2, 2011 at 8:27 am

      You’re right. The spiral is my favourite, too, but they all lead to different experiences:)

      Reply
  12. Donna Hull
    Donna Hull says:
    August 7, 2011 at 5:14 pm

    What a unique idea for an article. Very creative. The next time I’m in Rome, I’ll be looking at steps with a new perspective.

    Reply
  13. Turkey's For Life
    Turkey's For Life says:
    January 30, 2012 at 4:17 pm

    THIS is a great post, especially now I can read with eyes of someone who will be going to Rome soon. The Spanish Steps and the helix stairs look spectacular. :)
    Julia

    Reply
  14. Christina Stockton
    Christina Stockton says:
    May 3, 2012 at 3:04 am

    I love the pictures of the stairs! I am very much looking forward to seeing them myself next month.

    Reply
  15. Mathilde
    Mathilde says:
    March 17, 2015 at 4:39 pm

    Rome has so much history in the streets (and stairs)! Growing up reading Asterix, I have always been fascinated with Rome, but never found time to go there!

    Reply
    • Mette Vaabengaard
      Mette Vaabengaard says:
      March 22, 2015 at 7:49 pm

      Asterix is one of the the most captivating introductions to ancient Rome I know. Pity you haven’t found time to go there yet.

      Reply
  16. Fernando
    Fernando says:
    May 7, 2025 at 6:23 pm

    I was in Rome for the first time last year and fell in love. The squares, the staircases, the architecture, the history behind it—it’s an open-air museum. Thanks for sharing your experiences! Greetings from Argentina!

    Reply

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