Man, 80, gets stuck trying to drive down the Spanish Steps in Rome

On Tuesday morning, an 80-year-old man attempted to drive his car down the iconic Spanish Steps in Rome, resulting in the vehicle becoming stuck partway down. According to a statement from municipal police, the driver was not under the influence of alcohol, as confirmed by a negative test result. However, police did not provide further details concerning the identity of the driver or whether the car, identified as a Mercedes-Benz, belonged to him. Additionally, there was no information about whether he was using a navigation system at the time of the incident. The event drew attention due to the well-known status of the Spanish Steps, which are not designed for vehicle access and are a significant cultural landmark in the city.

Firefighters were called to the scene to extract the vehicle, utilizing a crane for the operation. This incident is not the first of its kind, as there have been previous cases of individuals attempting to drive down the Spanish Steps, which have been a popular tourist attraction since their construction in the 1720s. In a notable past incident, a Saudi man faced legal charges for damaging the cultural heritage after driving a rented Maserati down the steps in 2022, an act captured by surveillance cameras. The Spanish Steps, named after the nearby Spanish embassy, continue to be a picturesque backdrop for tourists and filmmakers alike, emphasizing the need for preservation and respect for such historical sites.