It had been over 20 years since I last stood in front of the iconic Spanish Steps in Rome, in Italy.
Back then, I was 16, on a school trip, staying far out in a monastery on the city’s outskirts. The Steps weren’t just a landmark – they were our meeting point, the place where our group gathered after navigating the metro. That square became a familiar anchor in a whirlwind week.
Fast forward to last March – my first trip to Rome with Daria. This time, we stayed much farther away, but I knew I had to return.
When we arrived, the square was partly fenced off for the Rome Marathon, which forced me to get creative. My movement was restricted, but sometimes those limits spark better compositions. I found a spot where I could frame the Barcaccia Fountain in the foreground, the Spanish Steps in the middle, and the Trinità dei Monti church presiding over it all, wrapped by the golden-hued architecture on each side.
The Challenge of Photographing the Spanish Steps
If you’ve been here in the evening, you know it’s impossible to avoid crowds. My secret? Arrive before sunrise.
This photo was taken in that rare moment of peace, when the only sounds were the trickle of water from the fountain and the gentle hum of a waking Rome.
EXIF settings: Sony camera, 19 mm, f/16, ISO 50, 25 s exposure.
Hidden History: A Ship in the Heart of Rome
The Barcaccia Fountain (“The Ugly Boat”) was built in the early 1600s by Pietro Bernini, father of Gian Lorenzo Bernini. Legend says a small boat was carried here by a flood of the Tiber River — its shape preserves that memory.
The Spanish Steps were completed in 1725, linking the French church of Trinità dei Monti with the lively Piazza di Spagna below, making it one of the world’s most photographed staircases.
Photography Tip for Rome’s Spanish Steps
When: Arrive at sunrise for the best light and empty steps.
Where: Position yourself low enough to include the fountain and the church.
How: Use a narrow aperture (f/16) for sharpness from front to back. A long exposure adds that dreamy, glassy water effect.
Check out my other blog and learn how I captured Pantheon Bronze Doors or Castel Sant’Angelo and bridge.
