A Chronicle of Fountains
A Chronicle of Fountains The translation of hundreds of classical Greek texts into Latin was commissioned by the learned Pope Nicholas V who ruled the Church in Rome from 1397 till 1455. It was imperative for him to embellish the city of Rome to make it worthy of being called the capital of the Christian world. Restoration of the Acqua Vergine, a desolate Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the behest of the Pope. A mostra, a monumental celebratory fountain built by ancient Romans to mark the point of arrival of an aqueduct, was a custom which was revived by Nicholas V. At the behest of the Pope, architect Leon Battista Alberti began the construction of a wall fountain in the place where we now find the Trevi Fountain. The water which eventually furnished the Trevi Fountain as well as the acclaimed baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona flowed from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.
Early Crete & The Minoans: Wall Fountains
Early Crete & The Minoans: Wall Fountains
Various types of conduits have been discovered through archaeological digs on the isle of Crete, the birthplace of Minoan society. These furnished water and extracted it, including water from waste and deluges. Many were prepared from clay or stone. Whenever made from terracotta, they were typically in the form of canals and spherical or rectangle-shaped conduits. Among these were clay conduits which were U shaped or a shorter, cone-like form which have only showed up in Minoan culture. Knossos Palace had a sophisticated plumbing network made of terracotta conduits which ran up to three meters under ground. The water pipes also had other applications such as amassing water and diverting it to a main site for storage. This required the terracotta pipes to be capable of holding water without losing it. Subterranean Water Transportation: It is not really known why the Minoans needed to transfer water without it being noticed. Quality Water Transportation: Some scholars feel that these pipes were employed to make a different distribution system for the palace.
Setting Up and Maintaining Fountains
Setting Up and Maintaining Fountains A very important first step is to consider the dimensions of the outdoor wall fountain with regards to the area you have available for it. It is essential that the wall where you are going to hang it is strong enough to support its weight. Also keep in mind that small areas or walls will require a lightweight fountain. In order for the fountain to have power, a nearby electrical outlet is needed. Since there are many kinds of outdoor wall fountains, installation procedures vary, however the majority include user-friendly instructions. Generally, when you purchase an outdoor wall fountain, it will come in an easy-to-use kit that will include all the needed information to install it properly. In the kit you will find all the needed elements: a submersible pump, hoses and basin, or reservoir. Depending on its size, the basin can typically be hidden quite easily amongst the plants. Since outdoor wall fountains require little care, the only thing left to do is clean it regularly.
Replace and clean the water on a regular basis. Rubbish such as twigs, leaves or dirt should be cleared away quickly. Safeguarding your outdoor wall fountain from the freezing winter temperatures is vital. Bring your pump inside when the weather turns very cold and freezes the water so as to prevent any possible damage, such as cracking.
Simply put, your outdoor fountain will be a part of your life for many years with the correct care and maintenance.