THE FAMOUS SPANISH STEPS

The steps that connect Rome's Piazza di Spagna with the French monastic church Trinita dei Monti are known as the "Spanish steps," and they were constructed between 1723 and 1726 in the Rococo architectural style (built between 1502–1587). There are three distinct terraces and 135 stairs, alluding to the Holy Trinity (the Trinità). Even though it is shared with crowds of other tourists, the view from the top of the stairs near the Egyptian obelisk is stunning. The name can be a little misleading because the French actually ordered the steps' construction (Louis XII). The Spanish Steps got their name because in the 17th century, the Spanish embassy was situated at the bottom of the stairs, in the area known as "Piazza di Spagna." Spanish steps is consequently not the official name but Scalinata della Trinità dei Monti. The "Fontana della Barcaccia" fountain, designed by Pietro Bernini, the renowned Gian Lorenzo Bernini's father, is also located on this Piazza di Spagna. This phrase is translated as "Fountain of the Ugly Boat." This is not a reference to the sculpture's appearance; rather, it refers to the legend that the small, unsightly boat was left here after the Tiber flooded in 1598. Bernini was inspired by that.#tripblazers #romeitaly #italytravel #europeanarchitecture