Bernini: The Master of Italy's Greatest Water Fountains
Bernini: The Master of Italy's Greatest Water Fountains Bernini's earliest water fountain, named Barcaccia, is a breath taking work of art found at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Fountains Water fountains will keep working a very long time with scheduled cleaning and maintenance.
No more than three-four months should really go by without an extensive cleaning of a fountain. Prior to cleaning, all the water must be taken out. Then use a soft cloth and gentle cleanser to scrub the inside. A helpful tip is to use a toothbrush if there are tiny hard-to-reach spots. Make sure all the soap is totally rinsed off.
It is highly recommended taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and remove any plankton or calcium. Letting it soak in vinegar for a couple of hours first will make it alot easier to clean. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain substances that will collect inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
And finally, make sure the water level is always full in order to keep your fountain working smoothly. Allowing the water to reach below the pump’s intake level, can cause serious damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!
What Are Outdoor Fountains Made From?
What Are Outdoor Fountains Made From?
One of the more popular metals for sculptural garden fountains these days is copper. Copper is used in cascade and tabletop water fountains as well as various other styles, making it versatile enough for inside and outside fountains. Another benefit of copper fountains is they are flexible and come in a wide variety of styles.
If you are drawn to more classic-looking water fountains, brass is probably what you want. Brass fountains are often designed with intriguing artwork, so they are popular even if they are a bit conventional.
Of all the metals, stainless steel is viewed as the most modern -looking. Adding a modern-looking steel design will immediately add value to your garden and improve the overall atmosphere. As with most fountains, they are available in many sizes.
For people who want the visual appeal of a metal fountain but desire a lighter weight and more affordable option, fiberglass is the answer. It is simple to clean and maintain a fiberglass water fountain, yet another reason they are trendy.
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin?
Where did Landscape Fountains Begin?
Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to supply them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Up until the nineteenth, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water supply, including aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and celebrate the designer. Roman fountains often depicted images of animals or heroes made of metal or stone masks. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create 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.
The end of the nineteenth century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Nowadays, fountains decorate public spaces and are used to recognize individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.