Authorities reported an unusual event in Rome where an elderly driver mistakenly attempted to drive his car down the Spanish Steps. Despite getting stuck, no injuries were reported and damage to the famous monument was avoided.
Elderly Driver Attempts Memorable Descent on Rome's Spanish Steps
Elderly Driver Attempts Memorable Descent on Rome's Spanish Steps
In a bizarre incident, an 80-year-old man drove his Mercedes down the historic Spanish Steps, causing confusion but no injuries.
An 80-year-old man’s misguided journey down Rome's iconic Spanish Steps on Tuesday morning has left both locals and authorities bewildered. The elderly driver was at the wheel of a Mercedes A-Class when he ventured onto the steps—a location off-limits to vehicles. According to Rome's police department, he managed to navigate a portion of the staircase before becoming ensnared.
Fortunately, no injuries were reported, and police indicated that no damage occurred to the historic monument. The driver, who has not been publicly identified, was also found to be alcohol-free when tested, as noted in an official statement. Pictures released by the police show him conversing with an officer while dressed in a suit, giving off an air of confusion about the unusual situation.
Footage of the incident, which has circulated widely on social media, depicts the car laboriously making its way down the famous steps. Eventually, the local fire department intervened to remove the vehicle using a crane.
The Spanish Steps, known as Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti in Italian, are one of the most distinguished landmarks in Italy, and any acts of vandalism against them can lead to severe penalties, including a maximum of one year in prison and fines exceeding 2,000 euros (approximately $2,300). Witnessing the episode was Sowad Mujibullah, an employee working the night shift at a nearby hotel, who described it as startling. Initially thinking it was a film shoot, he quickly realized the absurdity of the situation, stressing, "It should not be destroyed by these crazy things."
Prohibitions against motor vehicles on the steps have been overlooked in the past. In 2022, American tourists caused significant damage after rolling an electric scooter down the steps, which incurred costs of about 25,000 euros. That same year, another driver navigated a Maserati sports car down the steps following a miscalculation of direction.
This peculiar yet alarming incident adds to the ongoing narrative about the preservation of Rome’s historical sites and the measures needed to ensure their safeguarding from reckless behavior.
