The Origins Of Wall Fountains

The primary purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to supply them with drinking water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Up to the late 19th century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or jet high into the air. Serving as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also generated clean, fresh drinking water. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often used by Romans to decorate their fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create smaller variations of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to exalt the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the location where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.

Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.

Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for open spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational gatherings.

Pick from Many Exterior Wall Fountain Styles

Depending on your requirements, you can choose from mounted or freestanding models. Small, self-contained models can be hung on a wall are known as mounted wall fountains. Fountains of this kind need to be lightweight, therefore, they are usually fabricated from resin (resembling stone) or fiberglass. Sizable free-standing wall fountains, commonly referred to as floor fountains, have their basins located on the floor and a smooth side leaning on a wall. Typically made of cast stone, these water features have no weight constraints.

It is a good idea to incorporate a customized fountain into a new or existing wall, something often suggested by landscape experts. The basin and all the required plumbing are best installed by a trained mason. A fountain mask or a spout also needs to be incorporated into the wall. If you want a cohesive look for your garden, buy a customized wall fountain because it becomes part of the scenery rather than an afterthought.