Hi, I’m Gianluca.
I studied cultural anthropology, and I’ve always been fascinated by the different ways people live, move, and experience a place.
Rome is not only my city – it’s the environment I love observing, understanding, and sharing through these small stories.
Together with my wife Connie, we host travellers in our small hotel near the Vatican, where we enjoy meeting people from all over the world and exchanging perspectives – just as I do here in the blog.
If you ever feel like saying hello while exploring Rome, you’ll find us on our terrace as well, where every morning we serve breakfast with a view.
Gianluca
The Baroque period revolutionized architecture by introducing dynamic forms of symmetry that created a sense of movement, rather than static perfection. One of the most striking examples of this is the Spanish Steps at Trinità dei Monti. Built between 1723 and 1726 by architect Francesco de Sanctis, the steps seem symmetrical at first glance, but closer inspection reveals a subtle false symmetry that plays with perspective and light, creating fluid movement rather than rigid structure.
This illusion of motion is a hallmark of Baroque design, where architects sought to evoke emotional responses rather than adhere to strict geometric rules. The steps feature an interplay of concave and convex shapes, creating a sense of expansion and contraction as you ascend or descend.
The Genius Behind the Steps
Commissioned by Pope Innocent XIII and funded by the French diplomat Étienne Gueffier, the steps were built to connect the Spanish Embassy with the Trinità dei Monti Church. The project took about three years to complete, but the debate over building the staircase had lasted decades.
Francesco de Sanctis carefully designed the steps to follow the natural incline of the hill, but he broke away from the rigid symmetry of Renaissance architecture to embrace Baroque dynamism. This “false symmetry” makes the steps appear balanced but slightly irregular, which draws the viewer’s eye upward and adds a sense of flowing movement, a critical feature in Baroque art and architecture.
Symmetry and Movement: The Baroque Style
Unlike the perfect geometric harmony of Classical or Renaissance designs, Baroque symmetry is about creating visual drama. The symmetry at Trinità dei Monti is a prime example of this, where subtle deviations in the structure guide the viewer’s perception, making the space feel dynamic and alive. The slight irregularities in the Spanish Steps generate a sense of rhythm, almost as if the staircase is in motion, pulling you into the heart of the square below or up toward the church above.
An Architectural Wonder
The Spanish Steps remain one of the most famous landmarks in Rome, blending history, art, and Baroque architectural principles. Visitors walking up or down the steps experience not only a grand passageway between Piazza di Spagna and Trinità dei Monti, but a lesson in Baroque aesthetics, where movement and perspective are crafted through the clever use of false symmetry
From QuodLibet bed and breakfast the Spanish steps is only 7 minutes metro ride, or 28 minutes walk.
