Bernini’s Early Italian Fountains
Bernini’s Early Italian Fountains The Barcaccia, a beautiful fountain constructed at the base of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna, was Bernini's earliest fountain. To this day, this spot is filled with Roman locals and travelers alike who enjoy debate and each other's company. The streets surrounding his water fountain have come to be one of the city’s most trendy meeting places, something which would certainly have pleased Bernini himself. In about 1630, the great artist designed the first fountain of his career at the behest of Pope Ubano VIII.
The fountain’s central theme is based on an enormous boat slowly sinking into the Mediterranean. Period writings dating back to the 16th century indicate that the fountain was constructed as a monument to those who lost their lives in the great flooding of the Tevere. In what became his one and only prolonged absence from Italy, Bernini {journeyed | traveled] to France in 1665.
The Source of Modern Garden Fountains
The Source of Modern Garden 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 ancient classic Greek documents into Latin. In order to make Rome deserving of being the capital of the Christian world, the Pope resolved to enhance the beauty of the city.
In 1453 the Pope instigated the repairing of the Aqua Vergine, an ancient Roman aqueduct which had carried clean drinking water into the city from eight miles away. A mostra, a monumental commemorative fountain constructed by ancient Romans to mark the point of arrival of an aqueduct, was a tradition which was restored by Nicholas V. The Trevi Fountain now occupies the area previously filled with a wall fountain built by Leon Battista Albert, an architect employed by the Pope. The Trevi Fountain as well as the renowned baroque fountains found in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona were eventually supplied with water from the modified aqueduct he had reconstructed.
Keeping Your Water Wall Fountain Clean
Keeping Your Water Wall Fountain Clean Water fountains will last a very long time with routine cleaning and maintenance. Leaves, twigs, and bugs often find their way into fountains, so it is vital to keep yours free from such debris. Also, algae tends to build up wherever natural light meets water. Either sea salt, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar can be blended into the water to eliminate this issue.
Bleach can also be dissolved into the water, but this is not the ideal option because it can harm birds or other animals. A thorough cleaning every 3-4 months is best for garden fountains. Before you can start washing it you should empty out all of the water. When you have done this, scrub inside the water reservoir with a mild detergent. Feel free to use a toothbrush if helpful for any stubborn crevasses. Make sure all the soap is properly washed off.
Some organisms and calcium deposits may get inside the pump, so it is advised to take it apart and clean it completely. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it much less difficult to scrub. Neither rain water nor mineral water contain components that will collect inside the pump, so use either over tap water if possible.
One final tip for keeping your fountain in top working shape is to check the water level every day and make sure it is full. Allowing the water to reach below the pump’s intake level, can cause severe damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!