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Spanish Steps in Rome (2021): Unesco World Heritage Site
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A man is said to have driven a Maserati down the Spanish Steps in Rome and damaged several steps.
The driver has now been found.
The man was caught at Milan airport when he wanted to return the car to a car rental company, the Roman police said.
The 37-year-old was reported for damaging a cultural heritage.
The man is accused of driving the Maserati down the steps of the Trinità dei Monti church on Wednesday night.
At least three steps were damaged, said the police spokesman.
The incident was recorded with video cameras.
With the help of passers-by, the driver came down the stairs and drove away, according to the Corriere della Sera newspaper.
According to La Repubblica, the alleged accident driver said he had maneuvered incorrectly.
He is ready to take responsibility.
street above the stairs
The staircase by the architect Francesco De Sanctis from the 18th century is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Cars have driven down the steps several times.
In 2018, a driver lost control of his car, and in 2007 a drunk drove down the baroque staircase.
How to better protect the stairs has been discussed for a long time – a road that is not closed to traffic leads past the upper part.
ptz/dpa