A Concise History of the Early Public Fountains

A Concise History of the Early Public Fountains The water from springs and other sources was initially supplied to the occupants of nearby towns and municipalities via water fountains, whose design was mainly practical, not aesthetic. In the years before electrical power, the spray of fountains was powered by gravity only, usually using an aqueduct or water resource located far away in the nearby mountains. Inspiring and impressive, prominent water fountains have been built as monuments in many cultures. When you enjoy a fountain nowadays, that is not what the very first water fountains looked like. The 1st known water fountain was a stone basin created that served as a container for drinking water and ceremonial purposes. Stone basins are believed to have been 1st made use of around the year 2000 BC. The jet of water emerging from small spouts was pushed by gravity, the sole power source designers had in those days. Located near aqueducts or creeks, the practical public water fountains supplied the local residents with fresh drinking water. Creatures, Gods, and Spiritual figures dominated the early decorative Roman fountains, starting to show up in about 6 BC. A well-designed collection of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public fountains supplied with fresh water.

Bernini’s Early Italian Water Fountains

Bernini’s Early Italian Water Fountains The Barcaccia, Bernini's first water fountain, is a magnificent chef d'oeuvre built at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, you will find Roman residents and vacation goers filling this space to revel in chit chatter and being among other people. The streets neighboring his water fountain have come to be one of the city’s most stylish meeting places, something which would certainly have pleased Bernini himself. In about 1630, the great master designed the first water fountain of his career at the behest of Pope Ubano VIII. The fountain’s central theme is based on an enormous ship slowly sinking into the Mediterranean. According to 16th century documents, a great flood of the Tevere covered the entire area in water, an event which was commemorated by the magnificent fountain. Absenting himself from Italy only once in his life for a long-lasting time period, in 1665 Bernini voyaged to France.