During the 17th century, some peasants used to spend the night on the steps of the Basilica of Santa Maria in Ara Coeli and wait the sunrise to sell their products. Legend has it that, one day, a prince who lived in the hills let some barrels full of stones fall down on the stairs, killing one of the peasants. Since that day, nobody wants to step on and the staircase was protected by a gate until the 19th century.