The Source of Modern Outdoor Fountains
The Source of Modern Outdoor Fountains Pope Nicholas V, himself a well educated man, reigned the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of old classical Greek texts into Latin. Beautifying Rome and making it the worthy capital of the Christian world was at the core of his ambitions. Reconstruction of the Acqua Vergine, a ruined Roman aqueduct which had carried clean drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the bidding of the Pope. The ancient Roman custom of building an awe-inspiring commemorative fountain at the point where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was resurrected 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 refurbished included modifications and extensions which eventually allowed it to supply water to the Trevi Fountain as well as the renowned baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona.
The Outcome of the Norman Conquest on Anglo-Saxon Gardens
The Outcome of the Norman Conquest on Anglo-Saxon Gardens The advent of the Normans in the later half of the 11th century considerably transformed The Anglo-Saxon ways of living. Architecture and gardening were attributes that the Normans excelled in, trumping that of the Anglo-Saxons at the time of the occupation. But the Normans had to pacify the overall territory before they could concentrate on home life, domestic architecture, and decoration. Castles were more standard constructions and often erected on blustery hills, where their tenants devoted both time and space to practicing offense and defense, while monasteries were major stone buildings, regularly situated in the widest, most fertile hollows. Gardening, a peaceful occupation, was unfeasible in these fruitless fortifications. The purest example of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture existent in modern times is Berkeley Castle. The keep is thought to date from the time of William the Conqueror.
A monumental terrace serves as a hindrance to intruders who would attempt to mine the walls of the building. On one of these parapets is a picturesque bowling green covered in grass and surrounded by an aged hedge of yew that has been shaped into coarse battlements.
The Many Reasons to Add a Water Feature
The Many Reasons to Add a Water Feature A great way to enhance the appearance of your outdoor living area is to add a wall water feature or an exterior garden fountain to your landscaping or garden layout. Many modern designers and artisans have been influenced by historical fountains and water features. You can also reinforce the link to the past by adding one of these to your home's interior design. Among the many properties of these beautiful garden water features is the water and moisture they release into the air which attracts birds and other wild life as well as helps to balance the ecosystem. For example, irksome flying insects are usually deterred by the birds drawn to the fountain or birdbath.The space necessary for a cascading or spouting fountain is considerable, so a wall fountain is the ideal size for a small yard.
There are two types of fountains to choose from including the freestanding model with a flat back and an attached basin set up against a fence or a wall in your yard, or the wall-mounted, self-contained version which is hung directly on a wall. A fountain can be added to an existing wall if you include some type of fountain mask as well as a basin to collect the water below. The plumbing and masonry work necessary for this type of job requires expertise, so it is best to hire a skilled person rather than go at it yourself.