The Spanish Steps were a project to link the Trinità dei Monti Church with the Spanish Square below it. The church was financed by the King of France, therefore a French diplomat decided to sponsor the construction of the steps. So, in 1723, Francesco de Sanctis designed and built what is now the best-known steps in all of Rome. Not the famous Bernini, but a family member of his named Pietro Bernini designed a beautiful fountain called Fontana della Barcaccia, or "Fountain of the Old Boat". The sinking boat fountain was created after the story of a huge boat that was carried all the way down the Tiber river in a massive flood and landed near the Spanish Steps. The fountain design also helped its stability as the form of a sinking ship allowed for many possibilities.