Piazza di Spagna gathers the Spanish Steps, Trinità dei Monti, and the Barcaccia fountain into a theatrical urban room. The staircase was designed to connect French and Spanish presences in the city and remains a popular meeting place.
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The staircase seems to flow down the hillside, but it was built to solve a practical and diplomatic problem: connecting the French church of Trinità dei Monti above with the Spanish presence around the square below.
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UpgradeQuick facts
- The Spanish Steps were built between 1723 and 1726.
- Francesco de Sanctis designed the staircase.
- The Barcaccia fountain was made by Pietro Bernini between 1626 and 1629.
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