Spanish Steps
The area was called in the 18th century Roman slang "er ghetto de l'inglesi" (the English ghetto), because it was the preferred area of the English artists and of the tourists of the Grand Tour. It was Pope Sixtus V, the great townplanner, who set the architecture layout. The famous Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) by Francesco De Sanctis (1723-1726) is made by twelve flight of steps of varying width moving upwards towards the Piazza Trinità dei Monti. Before the steps there is a fountain, the ingenious large boat "Barcaccia", spouting water while it sinks. One of the most characteristic squares in the city, the Pi­azza di Spagna, stretches out for over ,270 meters, divided into two triangular areas. It is surrounded by outstanding buildings, such as the Palazzo di Propaganda Fide, seat "of the Congregation of Propaganda Fide instituted by Pope Gregory XV in 1622. The facade on the square is by Bernini (1644) and is articulated in three floors. The sober, elegant design is in brick. The more complex facade at the side however is by Borromini (1665) and is concave in the center. It'is articulated by pilaster strips which reach up to the first floor where unique concave windows are set off by columns and pilasters. The large portal leads to the vestibule with, nearby, Borromini's Adoration of the Magi (dei Re Magi) (1666), The restrained luminous interior has a fine Adoration of the Magi by Giacinto Gemignani (1643). Another noteworthy complex is the Palazzo di Spagna built by A. Del Grande in which has an important facade with lovely portals tied togethr by severe rustication. The square is centered on the Barcaccia Fountain, by Pietro Bernini (1627-1629), an ingenious and lively representation of a large boat which is sinking and spouting water from both stern and prow. Piazza di Spagna is where the famous Spanish Steps (Scalinata di Trinità dei Monti) begin.