Saudi man faces charges after Maserati driven down Rome’s Spanish Steps

While in Rome, it's wise to avoid taking your luxury sports car down historic staircases.

Apparently, this advice was ignored by a man who drove his rented Maserati down Rome's famed Spanish Steps, now facing legal charges for allegedly damaging the monument, according to local police.

The 37-year-old Saudi driver, whose name has not been revealed, was arrested at Milan’s Malpensa airport after authorities tracked him through the car rental company, following surveillance footage of the car.

He has been charged with aggravated damage to cultural heritage and public monuments.

Police-released video footage shows the Maserati entering the pedestrian zone above the Spanish Steps during the night between Tuesday and Wednesday. The vehicle descends the first set of steps before stopping, with a person seen exiting the car to inspect the damage.

According to Rome's heritage protection authorities, the car caused damage to the 16th and 29th steps of the right-hand flight leading up from Spanish Square.

Some of the marble fragments were temporarily reattached to allow for the immediate reopening of the area to pedestrian traffic, authorities stated.

The damage included chips, scratches, and abrasions.

Additional restoration work will be required to repair the damaged steps by replacing the broken sections with travertine blocks that match the color and material of the original steps.

Cultural heritage experts are assessing the financial impact of the incident, having also discovered widespread chips, scratches, abrasions, and debris across both sides of the second level, all linked to the same event, according to the statement.

The Spanish Steps are one of Rome's most iconic landmarks, named after the Spanish Embassy at the Holy See, which is located in a nearby palazzo at the square below.

The Spanish Steps have appeared in numerous films, including the famous 1953 classic 'Roman Holiday,' starring Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck.

Image credit: Polizia Roma Capitale