Elderly Tourist, 80, Gets Stuck While Driving Over Italian Landmark

Rome’s famed Spanish Steps became an unlikely traffic jam after an 80-year-old man attempted to drive his Mercedes-Benz straight down the iconic landmark in the early hours of Tuesday—leaving locals and tourists stunned and authorities scrambling.

The driver, whose name remains a mystery, managed to wedge his luxury car partway down the 18th-century staircase before coming to a halt. “It’s a sight you don’t forget—seeing a silver Mercedes stuck on a monument,” one American tourist told reporters. “People were just standing there, mouths open.”

Emergency crews quickly arrived at the scene. Rome’s firefighters were forced to deploy a massive red crane to pluck the vehicle from the ancient steps, which date back to the 1720s. The car was finally removed with considerable effort and plenty of curious onlookers snapping photos.

Officials confirmed the octogenarian was sober at the time of the incident. “He tested negative for alcohol,” the municipal police said in a statement. But they declined to say whether the man was a confused tourist, a local resident, or simply lost. Nor would they clarify whether GPS navigation was to blame—a frequent culprit in bizarre European driving mishaps.

Authorities did not reveal whether the car was a rental or belonged to the driver. “We’re still looking into the circumstances,” a city official said, declining further comment.

Rome’s Spanish Steps are among the city’s most beloved—and most photographed—historic sites, connecting Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti church. The marble staircase has appeared in countless films and is a favorite spot for travelers and locals alike.

This isn’t the first time a car has caused chaos on the Spanish Steps. In 2022, a Saudi man made international headlines after driving a rented Maserati down the monument, causing serious damage and later facing criminal charges.

City officials have long warned visitors to respect the capital’s fragile heritage sites. “These stairs were built for people, not Porsches,” joked a local shopkeeper. “Every year, someone tries something crazy.”

No injuries were reported in the latest incident, but preservationists are once again calling for stricter security around Rome’s historic treasures. As for the elderly driver, authorities say the investigation is ongoing.

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