An 80-year-old man drove a compact luxury Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan down the landmark Spanish Steps in Rome this week before getting stuck partway down, municipal police said in a statement.

The man tested negative for alcohol, and was cited on the spot for driving down the monument in Rome's historic centre, police said.

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.

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 travertine steps in 2022.

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.

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