The Beautiful First Wonders by Bernini

The Barcaccia, Bernini's very first fountain, is a striking chef d'oeuvre built at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, this area is flooded with Roman locals and tourists alike who enjoy debate and each other's company. Bernini would without a doubt have been happy to know that people still flock to what has become one creek the city's most fashionable areas, that surrounding his amazing fountain. The master's first water fountain of his career was built at around 1630 at the request of Pope Urbano VIII. A massive vessel slowly sinking into the Mediterranean is the fountain's central theme. Period reports dating back to the 16th century indicate that the fountain was built as a monument to those who lost their lives in the great flooding of the Tevere. In 1665, France was graced by Bernini's only prolonged trip outside of Italy.