The Origins of Contemporary Outdoor Wall Fountains
The Origins of Contemporary Outdoor Wall Fountains Pope Nicholas V, himself a well educated man, ruled the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of old classic Greek texts into Latin. It was imperative for him to beautify the city of Rome to make it worthy of being called the capital of the Christian world. Reconstruction of the Acqua Vergine, a ruined Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the bidding of the Pope. The ancient Roman tradition of building an imposing commemorative fountain at the location where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was revived by Nicholas V. At the bidding of the Pope, architect Leon Battista Alberti began the construction of a wall fountain in the place where we now find the Trevi Fountain. Modifications and extensions, included in the restored aqueduct, eventually supplied the Trevi Fountain and the well-known baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona with the necessary water supply.Keeping Your Outdoor Wall Fountain Tidy
Keeping Your Outdoor Wall Fountain Tidy
Water fountains will keep working a very long time with routine cleaning and maintenance. Leaves, twigs, and insects very often find their way into fountains, so it is vital to keep yours free from such things. Also, algae is likely to build up anywhere natural light meets water. Blend hydrogen peroxide, sea salt, or vinegar into the water to avoid this particular dilemma. There are those who like to use bleach, but that is hazardous to any animals that might drink or bathe in the water - so should therefore be avoided. Experts suggest that the typical garden fountain undergoes a thorough scouring every three-four months. To start with you must drain the water. When you have done this, scour inside the water reservoir with a mild detergent. Feel free to use a toothbrush if helpful for any stubborn crevasses. Do not leave any soap deposits in or on the fountain.
It is highly advised taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and eliminate any plankton or calcium. To make it less challenging, soak it in vinegar for several hours before cleaning. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain components that will collect inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
Lastly, make sure your fountain is always full by checking on it every day - this will keep it in tip-top shape. Permitting the water level to get too low can result in damage to the pump - and you certainly don't want that!