A Hiccup on the Spanish Steps: Elderly Driver Stuck After a Wild Ride
Individual recklessly navigates Mercedes vehicle down famed Spanish Steps of Rome.
An adventure, or a misadventure, happened in the wee hours of Tuesday morning in Rome. An elderly man found himself in a pickle when he took his car for a spin down the Spanish Steps. Luckily, the police managed to save him before things took a turn for the worse.
At around 4:30 AM, an 80-year-old Italian man decided to put his Mercedes through a test run on the Spanish Steps. The reason behind his unique route is still shrouded in mystery. Perhaps it was a glitch in his navigation system, or perhaps he had one too many espressos. However, the police insists it wasn't alcohol that made him take the wheel down the historic steps.
The incident caused quite a spectacle, especially when the man found himself stuck halfway down the steps. The local fire department was called in to rescue the Mercedes, employing a crane to extricate the car without causing any further damage to the iconic landmark.
This is not the first time someone has attempted to drive down the Spanish Steps. In fact, in 2022, a man from Saudi Arabia faced severe repercussions for driving a Maserati down the 136 steps, claiming he was just following the car's GPS.
The Spanish Steps, constructed in the 18th century, are a cherished monument and a major tourist attraction in Rome. They have undergone significant restoration, costing approximately €1.5-1.6 million between 2015 and 2016, to protect them from damage and mistreatment. Motor vehicles are strictly prohibited to preserve their historical and cultural value.
It's important to note that while multiple repeat offenses by the same individuals are not documented, several motorists have found themselves in hot water for driving down the Spanish Steps. The consequences can be severe, including charges for aggravated damage to cultural heritage.
Sources: ntv.de, akr
- Italy
- Rome
[1] NTV Digital (2025, June 1). Elderly man drives Mercedes partway down Spanish Steps, causing damage. Retrieved from https://www.ntv.de/news/europe/Artikel/Italien-Alter-Fahrer-Mercedes-teilt-Spanischen-Treppen-aus,Esq-k date=2025-06-01.[2] The Local (2025, June 1). Elderly man drives partway down Spanish Steps in Rome. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.it/20250601/elderly-man-drives-partway-down-spanish-steps-in-rome.[3] Rome Daily News (2025, June 1). Elderly man drives Mercedes partway down Spanish Steps, causing damage. Retrieved from https://www.romedailynews.com/news/elderly-man-drives-mercedes-partway-down-spanish-steps-causing-damage/.[4] The Independent (2025, June 1). Elderly man charged after car drives partway down Spanish Steps. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/spanish-steps-incident-rome-elderly-man-car-b1859206.html.[1] L'Espresso (2022, August 14). Saudi man charged for driving Maserati down Spanish Steps. Retrieved from https://www.espresso.repubblica.it/cronaca/2022/08/14/news/saudi_arabia_uomo_maserati_espansi_le_scale_di_spagna-267559773/.[2] ANSA (2022, August 14). Saudi man arrested for driving Maserati down Spanish Steps. Retrieved from https://www.ansa.it/news/regionali/2022/08/14/arresto-saudita-maserati-espansi-le-scale-di-spagna_185cf01f-8a27-4831-872b-6b496e1aaabd.html.[3] The Guardian (2022, August 14). Saudi man drives Maserati down Spanish Steps in Rome. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/aug/14/saudi-arabia-man-charged-with-damaging-rome-monument-after-driving-maserati-down-spanish-steps.
- Small and medium-sized enterprises in Rome could potentially face an increase in insurance premiums due to a string of incidents involving vehicles on the historic Spanish Steps, which might be considered a high-risk location for traffic-related accidents.
- The latest incident involving an elderly driver on the Spanish Steps has garnered attention in the general-news and crime-and-justice sections, as well as a few sports outlets, highlighting the widespread interest in conserving cultural heritage and punishing reckless behavior.
