An 80-year-old man from Rome caused a stir on June 18, 2025, when he drove his compact luxury Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan down the historic Spanish Steps, a famous landmark in Rome. The unusual journey ended with the vehicle getting stuck partway down the steps. Authorities were called to the scene, and firefighters were tasked with removing the car using a crane. The man was booked on the spot for driving down the steps, despite testing negative for alcohol. Police were unable to determine how the elderly driver managed to navigate his car onto the steps. This incident recalls a similar event in 2022 when a Saudi man was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage after driving a rented Maserati down the same steps. The Spanish Steps, a popular tourist destination, are not intended for vehicular traffic, making such incidents particularly noteworthy.
Incident Details
The elderly driver was apprehended by police and charged for his actions. The removal of the vehicle was carried out carefully to avoid any damage to the historic site. The incident has raised questions about access control to such famous landmarks and the need for measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
