Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Greatest Water Fountains
Bernini: The Genius Behind Italy's Greatest Water Fountains Bernini's earliest water fountain, named Barcaccia, is a breath taking work of art found at the bottom of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, you will find Roman residents and vacation goers occupying this spot to revel in chit chatter and being among other people. One of the city’s most fashionable meeting places are the streets surrounding Bernini's fountain, which would certainly have brought a smile to the great Bernini. In around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII helped Bernini start off his professional life with the construction of his first fountain.
An enormous vessel slowly sinking into the Mediterranean is the fountain's central theme. The great 16th century flooding of the Tevere, which left the entire region inundated with water, was memorialized by the water fountain according to writings from the time. Absenting himself from Italy only once in his life for a prolonged time period, in 1665 Bernini voyaged to France.
Early Water Supply Techniques in Rome
Early Water Supply Techniques in Rome Aqua Anio Vetus, the first raised aqueduct built in Rome, began supplying the individuals living in the hills with water in 273 BC, although they had counted on natural springs up until then. If residents residing at higher elevations did not have access to springs or the aqueduct, they’d have to count on the remaining existing systems of the day, cisterns that accumulated rainwater from the sky and subterranean wells that drew the water from under ground. In the very early 16th century, the city began to make use of the water that flowed beneath the earth through Acqua Vergine to furnish drinking water to Pincian Hill. During its original construction, pozzi (or manholes) were positioned at set intervals along the aqueduct’s channel. Even though they were initially planned to make it possible to support the aqueduct, Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi started out using the manholes to accumulate water from the channel, starting when he bought the property in 1543. Although the cardinal also had a cistern to accumulate rainwater, it couldn't provide a sufficient amount of water. Through an orifice to the aqueduct that flowed underneath his property, he was set to fulfill his water needs.When and Where Did Water Features Emerge?
When and Where Did Water Features Emerge? Pope Nicholas V, himself a learned man, ruled the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of old classic Greek texts into Latin. He undertook the embellishment of Rome to turn it into the worthy capital of the Christian world. In 1453 the Pope instigated the repairing of the Aqua Vergine, an historic Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away. The ancient Roman custom of building an imposing commemorative fountain at the location where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was revived by Nicholas V. The architect Leon Battista Alberti was commissioned by the Pope to construct a wall fountain where we now find the Trevi Fountain.
The Trevi Fountain as well as the well-known baroque fountains located in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona were eventually supplied with water from the altered aqueduct he had rebuilt.
Taking Care Of Outdoor Wall Fountains
Taking Care Of Outdoor Wall Fountains A vital first step before installing any outdoor wall feature is to think about the room you have available. A strong wall is absolutely necessary to hold up its overall weight. So areas or walls which are smaller in size will most probably require something lightweight. An electrical socket near the fountain is needed to power the fountain.
There are many different styles of fountains, each with their own set of simple, step-by-step directions. Most outside wall fountains come in "for-dummies" style kits that will give you all you need to properly install it. In the kit you will find all the needed essentials: a submersible pump, hoses and basin, or reservoir. The basin, if it's not too large, can easily be hiddenin your garden among the plants. Once your wall fountain is in place, all that is needed is consistent cleaning and some light maintenance.
Replenish and clean the water on a regular schedule. Debris such as branches, leaves or dirt should be cleaned up quickly. Protecting your outdoor wall fountain from the freezing winter weather is essential. If kept outdoors, your pump could crack as a result of frigid water, so bring it inside during the winter. Simply put, your outdoor fountain will be around for many years with the proper care and maintenance.