Capitoline Azalea Exhibition at Piazza di Spagna

A carpet of azaleas on Rome's most famous staircase

For a few weeks each year, between April and May, the monumental Trinità dei Monti steps are dressed in pink, white, and purple. The Capitoline Azalea Exhibition at Piazza di Spagna is one of Rome's most beloved spring events: hundreds of pots of azaleas in full bloom are placed along the steps of the famous staircase, creating a floral backdrop that draws locals and tourists from all over the world. The event is organized by the Rome Capital Garden Service and takes place in the Campo Marzio district, in the Municipality of Rome, the heart of the Lazio region.

A tradition nearly a century old

The custom of displaying blooming azaleas dates back to the 1930s: the first exhibitions were held at Villa Aldobrandini, while since 1952, the exhibition has found its permanent home on the Trinità dei Monti steps. In 2026, the event reaches its 87th edition, confirming its status as a symbol of the Roman spring and a testament to the century-old care the city dedicates to its botanical heritage.

The plants and the San Sisto nursery

The exhibited specimens come from the San Sisto municipal nursery on the Caelian Hill, where municipal gardeners cultivate and tend to them throughout the year. The monumental azaleas belong primarily to two varieties: the white one known as "Bianca di Spagna" and the "Fenicia," with its brighter, lilac tones. Once the blooming period ends, the plants are returned to the nursery to be cared for until the following spring.

The 2026 novelty: via dei Condotti

• For the first time, the display extends beyond the staircase, adding color to the elegant via dei Condotti, the luxury shopping street that connects Piazza di Spagna to the historic center.
• The blooms remain visible for the entire duration of the exhibition, always with free and open access.
• The actual duration depends on weather conditions: sudden heat or prolonged rain can shorten the blooming season.

A symbol of the Roman spring

Admiring the azaleas of Piazza di Spagna is an experience that combines nature, art, and history in one of the Capital's most evocative settings, between Bernini's Barcaccia fountain, the Trinità dei Monti church, and the windows of via dei Condotti. Over the years, the exhibition has become a small collective ritual that marks the arrival of the warmer season and renews the bond between Rome and its historic gardens every year.