The 138 marble stairs at the foot of Pincian Hill are now gleaming white once more. Bulgari gave 1.5 million euros ($2.2 million) to clean and preserve the famed monument, which included repairing fractured pavement stones and removing ugly stains. During the restoration, they had been sealed up. The company also hired a Swiss artist to paint a new scene on each step. The Spanish Steps were built between 1725 and 1726 for use by visitors to the newly constructed Villa Pinciana outside Rome. They were designed by Giacomo della Porta but modified in 1823 by Giuseppe Valadier. The steps lead down to Via Veneto, one of the city's most famous streets, where you'll find many luxury shops and restaurants. It is said that if you walk up the steps slowly, it will take you all your life to pay off your debt. This is because every time you reach the top of the steps, you will discover another creditor who needs to be paid off before you can continue your ascent. There are several myths surrounding the origin of the name "Spanish Steps". Some say they are named after King Carlos III of Spain, who restored order to Italy after its previous government was overthrown by French forces. Others claim the steps were inspired by the architecture of Madrid or by the ancient steps of Sais in Egypt.