ROME. An 80-year-old man drove a Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan down the iconic Spanish Steps in Rome early Tuesday, getting stuck midway and drawing the attention of municipal police and firefighters.
According to a police statement, the elderly Roman resident was not under the influence of alcohol and was immediately cited for driving on a protected monument in the city’s historic center. Authorities said the man was unable to explain how he ended up on the steps, and his name was not disclosed. It also remains unclear whether the vehicle belonged to him.
Firefighters had to use a crane to remove the compact luxury vehicle from the 18th-century landmark.
The Spanish Steps, built in the 1720s and comprising 135 travertine steps, are among Rome’s most iconic monuments and are not meant for vehicles. While usually a favorite spot for tourists and film scenes, the steps have occasionally attracted reckless drivers. In 2022, a Saudi man was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage after driving a rented Maserati down the steps.
The monument derives its name from the nearby Spanish Embassy to the Holy See.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
- Paraluman P. Funtanilla
