Rome, April 24, 2026 – One of Rome’s most recognizable spring traditions has returned as the Spanish Steps at Trinità dei Monti are once again adorned with vibrant azaleas. The annual display, featuring over 200 plants, was inaugurated on Thursday, April 23, with Mayor Roberto Gualtieri and Capitol Hill Environment Councilor Sabrina Alfonsi in attendance. The floral arrangement will transform Piazza di Spagna into a temporary garden, captivating both residents and tourists until the first weeks of May.
Over 200 Azaleas Transform the Spanish Steps
This year, more than 200 azalea plants, meticulously cared for year-round at the San Sisto nursery, grace the iconic staircase. Visitors can admire two primary varieties: the “bianche di Spagna” (white of Spain) and “fenicia” azaleas, carefully selected to create a harmonious chromatic balance between light tones and more intense hues. A notable addition for the 2026 edition is the extension of the floral display to Via dei Condotti, seamlessly connecting with the scenic beauty of the piazza and the steps.
A Tradition Rooted in the 19th Century
The azalea display is not merely a seasonal decoration but a tradition deeply embedded in the city’s history. The cultivation of these plants in Rome dates back to the 19th century. While the public exhibition initially took place at Villa Aldobrandini, it found its permanent home at Trinità dei Monti in 1952. Over the years, this event has become a quintessential symbol of Roman spring, successfully blending horticultural care with the enhancement of urban heritage.
Officials Highlight Year-Round Dedication
Councilor Alfonsi emphasized the extensive effort behind the scenes, stating, “As every year, it is beautiful to admire the Trinità dei Monti staircase full of colors. These plants are cared for throughout the year with dedication and attention by the gardeners of Roma Capitale, who at San Sisto look after both the monumental azaleas and those in pots that we admire in Piazza di Spagna.” She further elaborated to La Capitale, “It is a wonderful Roman tradition, a tradition that, to beautify the city, is a job that our gardeners do all year round. Azaleas have been cultivated in the San Sisto Park since 1814, and the exhibition on the staircase has been held since 1952. Previously, it was also done at Villa Aldobrandini, a tradition that we will resume at Villa Aldobrandini as soon as it is ready. Azaleas have been awarded at various national and international exhibitions. In short, spring in Rome arrives when the azaleas arrive on the staircase.”
Mayor Gualtieri: “Rome, Capital of Beauty”
During the inauguration, Mayor Roberto Gualtieri highlighted the symbolic significance of the initiative: “They select and choose the colors, the most beautiful species, the most beautiful plants. This year the colors are beautiful, white, lilac, in short, a beautiful choice. Exhibiting here in Piazza di Spagna is always a great joy for us.” He added, “After the ‘Natale di Roma’ (Rome’s Birthday), a tradition begins, and I am sure it will be appreciated, not only for enjoying this wonderful piazza and this unique staircase even more, but also for enhancing the unique relationship that Rome has with plants, with nature, with flowers. We try to cultivate and spread them as much as possible throughout the city. With Sabrina, we have made it our mission to create beautiful flowerbeds in as many places as possible, and little by little, they are starting to appear. Citizens appreciate them very much, but then there is the queen exhibition, which is this one.”
A Tradition That Tells the City’s Story
The Mayor further reiterated the historical value of the event: “An ancient tradition, that of caring for azaleas, it’s more than two centuries old, and since the fifties, after the Villa d’Aldobrandini season, here on the Spanish Steps, a tradition that enhances the beauty of the Spanish Steps, but also the mastery of our gardeners and the wonder of these azaleas. This year they are beautiful, in the two colors that have been chosen, so we renew this tradition again this year to celebrate spring, the ‘Natale di Roma’ that has just passed, then next year we will also start exhibiting them at Villa d’Aldobrandini because the redevelopment works are almost finished, so we are relaunching again to reaffirm that Rome is a capital of beauty and these plants that our gardeners know how to grow so beautifully represent it in a particular way.”
Spring Arrives at Piazza di Spagna
With the arrival of the azaleas, Rome revitalizes one of its most distinctive rituals. This event seamlessly combines aesthetics, history, and daily dedication, transforming one of the city’s most photographed locations into a vibrant symbol of the season for several weeks. Once again, it marks the official beginning of spring in the Capital.
Source: lacapitale.it
