Bernini's Water Fountains

Bernini's Water Fountains There are countless celebrated water features in the city center of Rome. Bernini's Water Fountains 422762521258717346.jpg

Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the best sculptors and artists of the 17th century designed, conceived and produced almost all of them. Also a city builder, he had skills as a fountain designer, and remnants of his life's work are evident throughout the avenues of Rome. To completely exhibit their art, primarily in the form of public water features and water fountains, Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, guided his young son, and they ultimately relocated in Rome. An diligent employee, the young Bernini received compliments and the backing of various popes and important artists. At the beginning he was renowned for his sculptural expertise. Most famously in the Vatican, he made use of a base of experience in ancient Greek architecture and melded it seamlessly with Roman marble. He was influenced by many a great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest effect on his work.

Rome’s Early Water Delivery Systems

Rome’s Early Water Delivery Systems Rome’s first raised aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was built in 273 BC; prior to that, inhabitants living at higher elevations had to rely on natural springs for their water. Outside of these aqueducts and springs, wells and rainwater-collecting cisterns were the lone technological innovations available at the time to supply water to spots of higher elevation. In the early sixteenth century, the city began to use the water that ran beneath the earth through Acqua Vergine to deliver drinking water to Pincian Hill. Throughout the time of its original building and construction, pozzi (or manholes) were added at set intervals alongside the aqueduct’s channel. While these manholes were developed to make it less difficult to sustain the aqueduct, it was also possible to use buckets to extract water from the channel, which was practiced by Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi from the time he obtained the property in 1543 to his death in 1552. The cistern he had made to obtain rainwater wasn’t adequate to meet his water specifications. By using an opening to the aqueduct that flowed underneath his property, he was in a position to fulfill his water demands.