Police indicated that the man was sober, having tested negative for alcohol, and issued him a citation for driving on the historic monument in the center of Rome.

Police said the man, a resident of Rome, was at a loss to explain how he had wound up driving down the famed steps.

They did not release his name and it was unclear if the car was his.

The small sporty car was later removed by firefighters using a crane.

Police did not respond to requests for more details about the dynamics of the apparent accident.

The Spanish Steps are one of Rome’s most famous landmarks, designed for foot traffic rather than vehicles, despite some daring attempts by individuals to drive down them.

In 2022, a Saudi national faced charges for inflicting severe damage to cultural heritage after being caught on surveillance footage driving a rented Maserati down the 135 travertine steps.

The Spanish Steps take their name from the Spanish Embassy to the Holy See in the nearby square.

A famed background for numerous films, they were built in the 1720s and have long been a popular spot to people watch and hang out.