Aqueducts: The Remedy to Rome's Water Troubles

Aqueducts: The Remedy to Rome's Water Troubles Previous to 273, when the very first elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was constructed in Roma, inhabitants who lived on hillsides had to journey further down to gather their water from natural sources. Throughout this time period, there were only two other innovations capable of providing water to elevated areas, subterranean wells and cisterns, which amassed rainwater. Beginning in the sixteenth century, a new strategy was introduced, using Acqua Vergine’s subterranean segments to provide water to Pincian Hill. Pozzi, or manholes, were made at regular intervals along the aqueduct’s channel.Aqueducts: Remedy Rome's Water Troubles 96381010856625.jpg While these manholes were created to make it simpler and easier to sustain the aqueduct, it was also feasible to use buckets to remove water from the channel, which was exercised by Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi from the time he acquired the property in 1543 to his passing in 1552. The cistern he had constructed to collect rainwater wasn’t satisfactory to meet his water demands. To give himself with a much more streamlined means to gather water, he had one of the manholes opened up, giving him access to the aqueduct below his property.

The Genesis Of Wall Fountains

The Genesis Of Wall FountainsGenesis Wall Fountains 2967158969.jpg A fountain, an incredible piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also propel water high into the air for a noteworthy effect.

Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, via aqueducts or springs nearby. Used until the nineteenth century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their source of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the designer who created it. Roman fountains usually depicted images of animals or heroes made of metal or stone masks. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create smaller variations of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to illustrate his dominion over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to exalt their positions by adding decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.

Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.

Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for community spaces, to honor individuals or events, and compliment entertainment and recreational activities.

The Source of Modern Garden Water Fountains

The Source of Modern Garden Water Fountains Hundreds of ancient Greek texts were translated into Latin under the authority of the scholarly Pope Nicholas V, who led the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455. It was important for him to beautify the city of Rome to make it worthy of being known as the capital of the Christian world. Restoration of the Acqua Vergine, a ruined Roman aqueduct which had transported clean drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the bidding of the Pope.Source Modern Garden Water Fountains 3893982032.jpg Building a mostra, an imposing commemorative fountain built by ancient Romans to memorialize the entry point of an aqueduct, was a tradition revived by Nicholas V. At the behest of the Pope, architect Leon Battista Alberti undertook the construction of a wall fountain in the place where we now find the Trevi Fountain. The water which eventually supplied the Trevi Fountain as well as the renown baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona came from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.

Cultural Statuary in Early Greece

Cultural Statuary Early Greece 913870711724.jpg Cultural Statuary in Early Greece Sculptors garnished the lavish columns and archways with renderings of the greek gods until the period came to a close and most Greeks had begun to think of their theology as superstitious rather than sacred; at that instant, it grew to be more standard for sculptors be paid to portray ordinary individuals as well. Portraiture came to be commonplace as well, and would be welcomed by the Romans when they conquered the Greeks, and sometimes wealthy families would commission a depiction of their progenitors to be positioned inside their grand familial tombs. All through the many years of The Greek Classical period, a time of artistic progress, the use of sculpture and many other art forms transformed, so it is erroneous to think that the arts served just one purpose. Greek sculpture is probably enticing to us today as it was an avant-garde experiment in the historic world, so it doesn't matter whether or not its original purpose was religious zeal or artistic enjoyment.
Classic Greece: The Origins of Garden Statue Design Most sculptors were paid by the temples to enhance the elaborate pillars and archways with renderings of the gods up until the period came to a close and many Greeks started to think of their religion as superstitious rather than sacred, when it became more typical for sculptors to portray everyday people as well.... read more


Early Water Supply Solutions in The City Of Rome Previous to 273, when the first elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was made in Roma, inhabitants who resided on hills had to go further down to get their water from natural sources.... read more


A Small Garden Space? You Can Own a Water Fountain too! The reflective properties of water means it can make small areas look larger than they are.Increasing the reflective aspects of a fountain or water feature are possible by using dark materials.... read more


Large Outdoor Fountains: The Perfect Decor Accessory to Find Serenity Simply having water in your garden can have a significant effect on your health.The noise in your community can be masked by the delicate sounds of a fountain.... read more