An early morning mishap in the heart of Rome left locals stunned — and Italy’s fire brigade with a unique rescue job.

An 80-year-old man accidentally drove his Mercedes-Benz A-Class halfway down the iconic Spanish Steps around 4 a.m. Tuesday, prompting a swift response from police and firefighters.

“I Was Wrong,” Says Driver After Staircase Blunder

According to Italian media, the driver told police he was “going to work” and had simply taken a wrong turn. While he wasn’t injured, he was taken to the hospital as a precaution. Police later confirmed he tested negative for drugs and alcohol, and that he held a valid driver’s license.

It remains unclear whether he was using GPS at the time of the incident.

A Delicate Rescue on Historic Ground

Firefighters arrived at the scene shortly after police stopped the vehicle. To remove the car safely from the 18th-century staircase, the fire department deployed a crane from the base of the steps. Photos show some damage to the vehicle, though it’s not confirmed if it resulted from the incident.

The Spanish Steps have since been closed to the public while archaeologists inspect the site for possible damage, as is standard protocol when incidents occur involving Rome’s historic landmarks.

Age and the Rules of the Road

Under Italian law, drivers over 80 must renew their license every two years and pass a medical exam, which includes basic cognitive assessments. The unnamed man was reportedly in compliance with these requirements.

Not the First Time the Steps Took a Hit

This isn’t the first vehicular blunder on the Spanish Steps:

• In 2022, a Saudi tourist drove a Maserati down the same staircase and was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage after fracturing two of the steps.
• That same year, two American tourists were fined and briefly banned from Rome’s city center after damaging the steps with electric scooters.

A Cinematic and Cultural Treasure

The Spanish Steps — named after the nearby Spanish Embassy to the Holy See — are among Rome’s most beloved landmarks. Featured in the classic film Roman Holiday (1953) starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, the staircase underwent a major €1.5 million ($1.7 million) restoration in 2015.

What’s Next?

As of now, officials are waiting for the results of the archaeological inspection to determine whether the landmark suffered any structural harm. Meanwhile, the man’s wrong turn has sparked renewed calls for tighter vehicle access restrictions near historic sites — and a reminder of how fragile these cultural icons really are.

Source:  CNN – Elderly man drives down Rome’s Spanish Steps and gets stuck

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A man caused a disturbance at St. Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City by jumping onto the main altar and knocking over 19th-century candelabra worth thousands of dollars.

Dramatic Scene Caught on Video

Footage shared on X captures the shocking moment when the man climbed onto the altar, which is used for major liturgical celebrations led by Pope Francis. In the video, he is seen pulling off the altar cloth before being quickly stopped by security, leaving tourists in shock.

Historical and Artistic Significance

The altar, located beneath the basilica’s renowned stone canopy designed by Italian artist Gian Lorenzo Bernini, was recently restored. The candelabra he toppled are valued at approximately €30,000 ($31,000), according to Italian news agency Ansa.

Suspect and Security Response

The suspect, identified as a Romanian national, was detained by Vatican Police before being handed over to Italian authorities. A Vatican spokesperson told Ansa that the individual has a “serious mental disability.” CNN has reached out to the Vatican for further comment.

Increased Security Ahead of Catholic Jubilee

The incident comes as the Vatican prepares for the Catholic Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, during which an estimated 32 million pilgrims are expected to visit Rome. In anticipation of the influx, the basilica has strengthened security measures, including installing protective glass in front of Michelangelo’s Pietà sculpture. The statue was previously attacked with a hammer in 1972.

A Troubling Pattern of Vandalism

This is not the first time such an incident has occurred. In 2019, another individual threw candelabra off the main altar in a similar act of vandalism.

Authorities continue to assess the situation as security measures are reinforced to protect one of the world’s most revered religious and cultural landmarks.

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