The Spanish Steps were built from 1723 to 1726. They have been restored several times, the last one being in 1995. Not bad for steps that are almost 300 years old.
The church at the top of the steps is Trinità dei Monti.
These steps may not look like much, but they are quite a climb just to reach the lower terrace. As with everything else you find in Rome, these steps are steep. Even though you can't see it in this picture, it is another long climb to go to the very top. Once you make it there, if you survive climbing the entire staircase (it is said there are 138 steps), the view is outstanding. The street in between the two buildings directly in front of the Spanish Steps is Via dei Condotti.
Via dei Condotti
The shops along Via del Condotti are high end, geared towards the celebrities who stay at the hotel at the top of the steps when they visit Rome. Shop names include Armani, Dior, Gucci, Hermes, Prada, and Valentino. There is a Versace store on Via Borgognona.
After walking down Via Condotti, turn around and look at the Spanish Steps.
Note: If you walk down Via dei Condotti until you reach Via del Corso, and turn left, walk about 16 blocks (it sounds longer than it really is), it will take you straight to the Victor Emmanuel monument. Have you noticed that monument keeps popping up in this story?
Go to page 26 - Inside the Pantheon. Go to page 28 - The Trevi Fountain.
Jump back 10 pages to Page 17 - Reaching the Vatican.
Jump ahead 7 pages to Page 34 - The Gelato Pages.