The Spanish Steps were one of Rome’s most popular tourist attractions, but because of the sight’s popularity, they also got a bit worn down. The steps were ultimately shut down for a restoration project funded by the Italian luxury brand Bulgari. Now the steps are open once again.
The restoration project of the 18th-century Piazza di Spagna, cost around $1.7 million, and it took a bit longer to accomplish than expected. The process included doing functional recovery to the steps to ensure safety on the steps, as well as reinforcement, protection, and cleaning.
Paolo Bulgari feels strongly that some measures must be put in place to protect the steps from here on out.
“We cannot leave it to the barbarians who eat and drink there, making it dirty. People should be able to stroll up and down it but they shouldn’t be allowed to use it like the steps of a stadium, sitting for hours, getting drunk and throwing their cigarette butts on the ground. We donated money, and we were happy to do that, but if we don’t take adequate measures, within a few months it will again be a mess.”
