Bernini’s Very First Italian Fountains

The Barcaccia, a stunning fountain built at the base of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna, was Bernini's earliest fountain. To this day, you will see Roman locals and vacation goers occupying this area to revel in chit chatter and being among other people. One of the city’s most stylish gathering spots are the streets surrounding Bernini's fountain, which would certainly have brought a smile to the great Bernini. In around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII helped Bernini start off his career with the construction of his very first fountain. The fountain’s central theme is based on a massive vessel slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. The great 16th century flood of the Tevere, which left the entire region inundated with water, was memorialized by the water fountain according to writings from the time. In what became his sole prolonged absence from Italy, Bernini {journeyed | traveled] to France in link 1665.