Spanish Square (Piazza di Spagna). - details and images

In the Spanish French is a church (Trinita dei Monti) on top of a hill which can be reached by climbing a very long staircase, known as Scalinata della Trinita dei Monti or Spanish Steps. The idea of linking the church's market emerged in the seventeenth century, when the French had projected a statue of King Louis XIV at the end of the stairs. Papal opposition caused the plans to be delayed until 1723, when the monumental stairs were built without the statue of King. Pope hired the Italian architect Francesco de Sanctis who presented a project that satisfied both the papacy and the French.
Very elegant staircase consists of 137 steps divided into 12 different sectors. Scale is particularly beautiful in May when it is decorated with azaleas. Steps are generally very crowded, attracting both tourists and locals who use them as a meeting place.

At the Spanish Steps Piazza di Spagna is located. Long and triangular Square is named after Spain's embassy in Rome beside the Pope. In the seventeenth century, the area around the embassy was even considered Spanish territory.

Fontana della Barcaccia.
At the end of the stairs there is Fontana della Barcaccia, a sober fountain commissioned by Pope Urban VIII by Gian Lorenzo Bernini and designed. Design, a small boat, was inspired by the queen out of the river Tiber in 1598, when a small boat remained here after the waters receded.

Trinita dei Monti.
This is a beautiful French church situated on a hill near a small market squares also called Trinita dei Monti. From here visitors can enjoy a beautiful view of the city of Rome. In the late 15th century, there are only a small chapel on the hill. In 1495, King of France, Louis XII, ordered the erection of a new church to replace the chapel. Construction began in 1502 and extended for several decades. It was completed by Pope Sistus fifth in 1585. Gothic church with a Renaissance facade has two bell towers. Inside, several paintings decorate the various chapels. Among them are two works by Daniele da Volterra, a pupil of Michelangelo. Its location near the Spanish Steps in this church are an important tourist attraction in Rome. Obelisk in front of the church was originally placed in the garden of Sallus. In 1788 he was moved at the request of Pope Pius VI. The hieroglyphs on the obelisk had been copied from the obelisk in Piazza del Popolo.

Colonna dell'Immacolata.
In the south-east of the square is located Colonna dell'Immacolata. It was built in 1857 to celebrate the immaculate conception dogma. The column was found in 1777 in a monastery. Today the top of the column is found a statue of the Virgin Mary.





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