ROME — An 80-year-old man drove a Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan down the iconic Spanish Steps early Tuesday, becoming stuck midway before authorities intervened, according to a statement from Rome’s municipal police.
The vehicle, a compact luxury model, was eventually removed by firefighters using a crane. The driver, who has not been publicly identified, tested negative for alcohol and was cited at the scene for driving on the historic monument in the heart of Rome.
Authorities did not confirm whether the man owned the car or if a GPS navigation system may have played a role in the incident. Police declined to provide further details about how the vehicle came to be on the steps, describing the case as an apparent accident.
The Spanish Steps, completed in the 1720s, are one of Rome’s most famous landmarks and are strictly off-limits to motor vehicles. Despite this, the site has occasionally attracted reckless drivers. In 2022, a Saudi national was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage after surveillance footage captured him driving a rented Maserati down the 135 travertine steps.
Named after the nearby Spanish Embassy to the Holy See, the Spanish Steps have served as a backdrop to numerous films and remain a popular gathering place for both tourists and locals.
