
Man, 80, gets stuck while driving luxury Mercedes car down Rome's Spanish Steps
An 80-year-old man drove a compact luxury Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan down the landmark Spanish Steps in Rome before getting stuck part-way down, police said.
The man, who tested negative for alcohol, was cited on the spot for driving down the monument in the Italian capital's historic centre, police said.
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Police did not identify the driver or say if the car was his. They also did not say whether or not he was using a navigator.
The small sporty car was later removed by firefighters using a crane.
One of Rome's most recognisable monuments, the Spanish Steps have never been intended for motor vehicles, although some thrill seekers have tried their luck.
A Saudi man was charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage after a surveillance camera recorded him driving a rented Maserati down the 135 steps in 2022.
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The Spanish Steps take their name from the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See in the nearby square.
A famous background for numerous films, they were built in the 1720s and have long been a popular spot to people-watch and hang out.
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