Page 415 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

ROME : NOR THEAST ROME  413

were crowded with models
dressed as Madonnas, saints
and emperors, hoping to attract
the attention of foreign artists.
NORTHEAST
ROME The steps were built in the
AROUND
PIAZZA 1720s to link the square with
NAVONA
THE the French church of Trinità dei
ANCIENT
CENTRE Monti above. The French wanted
Tevere
to place a statue of Louis XIV at
Locator Map the top, but the pope objected,
See Rome Street Finder map 3 and it was not until the 1720s
that the Italian architect
Francesco de Sanctis produced
the voluptuous Rococo design
which satisfied both camps.
The Fontana Barcaccia, sunk into
The Fontana della Barcaccia at the foot of the paving at the foot of the
the Spanish Steps steps due to low water pressure,
was designed by Bernini’s less
1 Piazza di Spagna famous father, Pietro.
and the Spanish
Steps 2 Villa Medici
Map 3 A2. @ 116, 117. q Spagna. Accademia di Francia a Roma, Viale
Trinità dei Monti 1. Map 3 A2. Tel 06
Shaped like a crooked bow tie, 676 12 23. @ 117. q Spagna. Open
and surrounded by muted, for tours only. 8 Gardens: in English
shuttered façades, Piazza di at noon & 4:30pm Tue–Sun (4pm in
Spagna is crowded all day and winter), but call to confirm; Cardinal’s
(in summer) most of the night. apartments: Wed only. & -
The most famous square in
Rome, it takes its name from the Superbly positioned on the
Palazzo di Spagna, built in the Pincio Hill, this 16th-century
17th century to house the villa has retained the name that
Spanish Embassy to the Holy See. it assumed when Cardinal
Sant’Andrea delle Fratte The piazza has long been the Ferdinando de’ Medici bought it
contains two angels by Bernini haunt of foreign visitors and in 1576. It is now home to the
(1669) made for Ponte expatriates. In the 18th and French Academy, founded in
Sant’Angelo, which Pope 19th centuries the square stood 1666 to give artists the chance
Clement X thought too
V I A C A P O L E C A S E the weather. hotel district. Some of the musicians were also allowed
to study in Rome. From 1803
at the heart of the city’s main
lovely to expose to
to study here: both Berlioz
travellers came in search of
and Debussy were students.
knowledge and inspiration,
although most were more
The villa is only open for
interested in collecting statues
gardens, with a gorgeously
to adorn their family homes.
When the Victorian novelist exhibitions, but the formal
frescoed pavilion, and copies
V I A D I P R O PA G A N D A
Charles Dickens visited, he of ancient statues, can be
reported that the Spanish Steps visited in certain months.
0 metres 75
0 yards 75
Key
Suggested route
19th-century engraving of the inner façade of the Villa Medici

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