Bernini’s Very First Italian Fountains
Bernini’s Very First Italian Fountains The Barcaccia, a stunning water fountain built at the base of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna, was Bernini's earliest water fountain. Roman locals and site seers who enjoy verbal exchanges as well as being the company of others still go to this spot. One of the city’s most stylish gathering spots are the streets surrounding Bernini's fountain, which would undoubtedly have brought a smile to the great Bernini.
The master's very first fountain of his career was built at around 1630 at the request of Pope Urbano VIII. Depicted in the fountain's design is a great ship gradually sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. The great 16th century flood of the Tevere, which left the entire region inundated with water, was memorialized by the water fountain according to writings from the period. In 1665 Bernini journeyed to France, in what was to be his only prolonged absence from Italy.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Garden Wall Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Garden Wall Fountains Adequate care and regular maintenance are important to the longevity of water fountains.
It is easy for foreign objects to find their way into outdoor fountains, so keeping it clean is important. Also, algae tends to build up any place natural light meets water. Either sea salt, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar can be blended into the water to prevent this issue. Some people opt for pouring bleach into the water, but the downside is that it harms wildlife - so it should be avoided. Every 3-4 months, garden fountains should have a serious cleaning. The first step is to empty out all the water. Then use a soft rag and mild cleanser to scrub the inside. Feel free to use a toothbrush if necessary for any stubborn crevasses. Any soap residue remaining on your fountain can damage it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.
It is highly suggested taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and get rid of any plankton or calcium. Letting it soak in vinegar for a few hours first will make it much easier to clean. If you want to minimize build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water rather than tap water, as these don’t contain any ingredients that might stick to the inside of the pump.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain every day and add water if you notice that the level is depleted. Allowing the water to drop below the pump’s intake level, can cause major damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!
A Short History of Early Garden Fountains
A Short History of Early Garden Fountains
Towns and communities relied on practical water fountains to channel water for cooking, bathing, and cleaning up from local sources like ponds, streams, or creeks. A supply of water higher in elevation than the fountain was required to pressurize the flow and send water squirting from the fountain's spout, a system without equal until the later half of the 19th century. The beauty and wonder of fountains make them appropriate for historical memorials. If you saw the earliest fountains, you wouldn't recognize them as fountains. Basic stone basins sculpted from local stone were the original fountains, used for spiritual functions and drinking water. Pure stone basins as fountains have been found from 2,000 B.C.. Early fountains used in ancient civilizations depended on gravity to control the flow of water through the fountain. Located near reservoirs or creeks, the practical public water fountains provided the local citizens with fresh drinking water. Fountains with ornamental Gods, mythological beasts, and animals began to appear in Rome in about 6 B.C., made from stone and bronze. A well-designed system of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public fountains supplied with fresh water.