Where did Garden Water Fountains Begin?
Where did Garden Water Fountains Begin?
The central purpose of a fountain was originally strictly practical. Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to provide potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains operated using gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and memorialize the artist. Bronze or stone masks of wildlife and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a significant role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by including decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Urban fountains created at the end of the nineteenth served only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
A Short History of the First Water Garden Fountains
A Short History of the First Water Garden Fountains Water fountains were originally practical in purpose, used to deliver water from rivers or creeks to towns and villages, supplying the inhabitants with fresh water to drink, bathe, and prepare food with. To produce water flow through a fountain until the end of the 1800’s, and generate a jet of water, demanded gravity and a water source such as a spring or lake, located higher than the fountain.