Acqua Vergine: The Solution to Rome's Water Problems

Acqua Vergine: The Solution to Rome's Water Problems Aqua Anio Vetus, the first raised aqueduct assembled in Rome, started supplying the people living in the hills with water in 273 BC, even though they had depended on natural springs up until then. Over this period, there were only 2 other innovations capable of offering water to elevated areas, subterranean wells and cisterns, which accumulated rainwater. Acqua Vergine: Solution Rome's Water Problems 295651967925.jpg

Acqua Vergine: Solution Rome's Water Problems 295651967925.jpg

Starting in the sixteenth century, a new program was introduced, using Acqua Vergine’s subterranean sectors to generate water to Pincian Hill. Spanning the length of the aqueduct’s passage were pozzi, or manholes, that gave access. The manholes made it less demanding to maintain the channel, but it was also possible to use buckets to remove water from the aqueduct, as we saw with Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi when he owned the property from 1543 to 1552, the year he died. He didn’t get adequate water from the cistern that he had constructed on his property to obtain rainwater. Via an opening to the aqueduct that flowed below his property, he was able to suit his water desires.

Ancient Water Fountain Designers

Ancient Water Fountain Designers Commonly working as architects, sculptors, designers, engineers and cultivated scholars, all in one, fountain designers were multi-talented individuals from the 16th to the late 18th century. Exemplifying the Renaissance skilled artist as a inspiring master, Leonardo da Vinci performed as an innovator and scientific expert. He systematically documented his observations in his now recognized notebooks, after his enormous fascination in the forces of nature led him to investigate the characteristics and mobility of water. Innovative water displays loaded of symbolic meaning and all-natural wonder changed private villa settings when early Italian water feature designers combined resourcefulness with hydraulic and gardening skill. The magnificence in Tivoli were created by the humanist Pirro Ligorio, who was famed for his skill in archeology, architecture and garden design. Masterminding the phenomenal water marbles, water features and water pranks for the various estates near Florence, some other fountain designers were well versed in humanistic subjects and classical scientific texts.

Bernini’s Very First Italian Fountains

Bernini’s Very First Italian Fountains The Barcaccia, a stunning fountain built at the base of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna, was Bernini's earliest fountain. Roman locals and site seers who appreciate conversation as well as being the company of others still flood this spot. The streets surrounding his fountain have come to be one of the city’s most stylish gathering places, something which would certainly have pleased Bernini himself. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII commissioned what was to be the very first fountain of the master's career. Illustrated in the fountain's design is a great ship slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. Bernini’s First Italian Fountains 731213238.jpg

Bernini’s First Italian Fountains 731213238.jpg

According to 16th century reports, a great flood of the Tevere covered the entire area in water, an event which was memorialized by the magnificent fountain. In 1665, France was graced by Bernini's only prolonged journey outside of Italy.