Fontana della Barcaccia

In the central part of the Piazza di Spagna is a graceful Fontana della Barcaccia built in 1623 by P.Bernini. Before the river walls on Tiber were built in the end of the 19th century, the river quite often flooded the city and the marks of the water level on some houses in this zone showing nearly 1 meter above the ground make an impression. Once, during a terrible flood of 1598, a boat brought on Piazza di Spagna by Tiber, remained here after the water retired. In memory of this event the low Fountain of a Boat was erected here. Its water (Acqua Vergine) is drinkable.