| Formed from two sharp triangles that meet at the points, Piazza di Spagna or the Spanish Steps is such a strange shape that it's hard to call it a "square". In fact a few centuries ago only the southern half was called Piazza di Spagna or the Spanish Steps (after the Spanish embassy to the Holy See); the northern half was called Piazza di Francia (after the French embassy).
The Piazza di Spagna or the Spanish Steps was built by the little known architect Francesco de Sanctis. There was fierce competition as to who would design the steps with a lot of political influence easily evident in the choice of architect.
| In the Piazza at the base is the Early Baroque fountain called La Fontana della Barcaccia (‘Fountain of the Old Boat’). It was built by Pietro Bernini in 1627-29. In the piazza, at the corner on the right as one begins to climb the steps, is the house where English poet John Keats lived and died in 1821; it is now a museum dedicated to his memory. An intriguing fountain stands not far from the bottom of the steps. This is la Fontana della Barcaccia which is set very low, almost at street level, in order to function with the low water pressure that arrives there. For all its magnificent beauties, the Piazza di Spagna or the Spanish Steps attracts visitors and tourists from all over the world. |
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