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One of the most famous squares in
Rome, it gets its name from the Spanish Palace, headquarters of
the first European embassies established in the city. Opposite is the famous column, at the top
of which is the statue of the Immaculate Conception crowned with flowers by the Pope every
year on the 8th October. To one side is the Propaganda Fide
palace, planned by Francesco Borromini. The arrangement of the square was concluded in
1700s with the construction of the beautiful steps leading up to the
church of Trinità dei Monti. At the foot of the steps is the famous fountain by
Pietro and Gianlorenzo Bernini called the Barcaccia from its
special shape resembling a partly submerqed boat.
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Te Damned SouI and the Blessed Soul came from the
Building of the Spanish Embassy after having been in
the church of St. Maria of Monserrat,
and even before, in the church of San Giacomo degli Spagnoli.
Even if their true destination has never been clear, or the hypothesis
of a location in the Montoya funeral monument never
confirmed, it is probable that Maffeo Barberini commissioned
Bernini to make the two physiognomic studies.
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