The Spanish Steps are among Rome‘s most famous monuments. The first photo visitors to the Vatican Museums often take is of Bramante’s spiral staircase. The top of the Cordonata offers a magnificent panoramic view over one of the most picturesque districts of the city. Below is a list of Rome’s most beautiful stairways.
Beautiful Stairways of Rome
Spanish Steps
Although the atmosphere has changed since it has been prohibited to consume food or drinks at the Spanish Steps, the monument remains one the most pleasant places in Rome. The steps themselves are being restored, but the view from above is still beautiful. Piazza di Spagna remains one of Rome’s coziest squares.
Cordonata
The wide steps that run behind the Vittorio Emanuele Monument to the Piazza del Campidoglio are called the Cordonata. Both when walking up and suddenly seeing the square in all its glory before you and when looking down from above the steps one has an amazing view.
Aracoeli Staircase
Right next to the Cordonata is another wide staircase, which ends in front of the facade of the Santa Maria in Aracoeli Church.
Sacred Steps
The Scala Santa is located diagonally opposite the entrance to the Basilica of St. John of Lateran. Crawl up these steps on your knees and your sins will be absolved. You can also climb another staircase to the left of these steps and, from above, ask yourself what terrible things the knee crawlers want to be forgiven for.
St. Peter’s Basilica
It is not the most beautiful staircase in Rome, but the 551 steps to the top of St. Peter’s Dome do come with bragging rights. And even if you decide to do the first part by lift, 320 steps is not bad either. The view from the top is breathtaking and includes the Vatican Gardens.
Scala del Bramante
One of the most frequently taken photos in the Vatican Museums is of the staircase right at the entrance. This one was designed by Bramante. It was so wide because horses had to be able to walk on it.
Scalinata dei Borgia
The Scalinata dei Borgia actually consists of two parts, since it is divided in two by Via Cavour. The lowest part runs up from Via Leonina, but it is the second, more picturesque part that is the most interesting. The staircase passes under an archway covered with climbing plants to arrive at the San Pietro in Vincoli Basilica.