When and Where Did Water Features Originate?
When and Where Did Water Features Originate?
Himself a learned man, Pope Nicholas V led the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 till 1455 and was responsible for the translation of scores of age-old documents from their original Greek into Latin. He undertook the beautification of Rome to turn it into the model capital of the Christian world. In 1453 the Pope instigated the reconstruction of the Aqua Vergine, an ancient Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away. Building a mostra, an imposing celebratory fountain built by ancient Romans to memorialize the arrival point of an aqueduct, was a custom revived by Nicholas V. The present-day site of the Trevi Fountain was previously occupied by a wall fountain commissioned by the Pope and constructed by the architect Leon Battista Alberti. The aqueduct he had reconditioned included modifications and extensions which eventually allowed it to supply water to the Trevi Fountain as well as the famed baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona.
Keeping Your Garden Fountain Tidy
Keeping Your Garden Fountain Tidy
To ensure that water fountains last a long time, it is vital to practice regular maintenance. A typical issue with fountains is that they tend to gather dirt and debris, so it is vital that you keep it free from this. On top of that, algae can be a concern, as sunshine hitting the water allows it to form quickly. To stay clear of this, there are some common ingredients that can be mixed into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. There are those who prefer to use bleach, but that is hazardous to any animals that might drink or bathe in the water - so should therefore be avoided. A complete cleaning every 3-4 months is ideal for garden fountains. First off you must drain the water. Next use gentle and a soft sponge to clean the interior of the reservoir. If there is detailed artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Any soap residue remaining on your fountain can harm it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.
Make sure you get rid of any calcium or plankton by taking the pump apart and washing the inside properly. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it easier to scrub. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain ingredients that will build up inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
One final tip for keeping your fountain in top working order is to check the water level every day and make sure it is full. Low water levels can damage the pump - and you don't want that!