Roman Landmarks: The Spanish Steps

On a typically scorching and steamy summer day in Rome, 

Mr. Hunter and his companions walked over to the Spanish Steps.  

(Too bad about the scaffolding in front of the Trinita dei Monti church.)

At the base of the Spanish Steps, there's a handy fountain 

called Fontana della Barcaccia ("Fountain of the Old Boat").  We were all quite hot and sweaty and thirsty by the time we reached the Piazza di Spagna. It was a blessing to be able to cool our feet off in the fountain and to fill our water bottles from the fountain's cold, fresh stream of water.  

Even Mr. Hunter wanted to take a sip!

View from the top of the Spanish Steps.  

That dome to the right belongs to the basilica called San Carlo al Corso.  The building just to the left of the steps is where John Keats lived and died.  It's now the Keats-Shelley Memorial House.

Scalinata di Spagna

Rome, Italy

June 2008