Outdoor Fountains Lost to History
Outdoor Fountains Lost to History Water fountains were originally practical in purpose, used to convey water from rivers or springs to towns and hamlets, supplying the residents with clean water to drink, bathe, and prepare food with. Gravity was the power source of water fountains up until the conclusion of the 19th century, using the potent power of water traveling down hill from a spring or brook to push the water through spigots or other outlets. The beauty and spectacle of fountains make them ideal for historic monuments. If you saw the first fountains, you probably would not recognize them as fountains. A stone basin, crafted from rock, was the 1st fountain, used for containing water for drinking and spiritual purposes. The first stone basins are presumed to be from about 2000 BC. The spraying of water appearing from small jets was forced by gravity, the only power source creators had in those days. Located near reservoirs or springs, the functional public water fountains furnished the local citizens with fresh drinking water. Fountains with decorative Gods, mythological beasts, and creatures began to show up in Rome in about 6 B.C., built from stone and bronze. The extraordinary aqueducts of Rome delivered water to the spectacular public fountains, many of which you can go see today.
The Many Designs of Water Wall Fountains
The Many Designs of Water Wall Fountains If you want to have a place to relax and add some flair to a small area such as a patio or courtyard, wall fountains are ideal because they do not occupy much space. Traditional, antique, contemporary, or Asian are just a few of the styles you can choose from when looking for an outdoor wall fountain to your liking. It is possible to have one custom-made if you are unable to find a prefabricated fountain to suit you. Mounted and stand-alone fountains are available on the market. Little, self-contained mounted wall fountains can be hung on any surface. One of the most important features of wall fountains is that they be lightweight, so they are normally made of fiberglass or resin to mirror the look of stone. Free-standing fountains, often referred to as floor fountains, are sizable, have a basin located on the ground and a smooth side which leans against a wall. Typically made of cast stone, these water features have no weight limitations.
It is a good idea to incorporate a custom-made fountain into a new or existing wall, something often recommended by landscape experts. The basin and all the necessary plumbing are best installed by a qualified mason. A fountain mask or a spout also needs to be integrated into the wall. Customized wall fountains lend to a unified appearance because they become part of the scenery rather than look like a later addition.
The Source of Modern Day Garden Fountains
The Source of Modern Day Garden Fountains
Pope Nicholas V, himself a well educated man, ruled the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of ancient classic Greek texts into Latin. 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. In 1453 the Pope commissioned the repairing of the Aqua Vergine, an ancient Roman aqueduct which had carried clean drinking water into the city from eight miles away. Building a mostra, a grandiose commemorative fountain built by ancient Romans to memorialize the entry point of an aqueduct, was a custom revived by Nicholas V. At the behest of the Pope, architect Leon Battista Alberti began the construction of a wall fountain in the place where we now find the Trevi Fountain. 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 altered aqueduct he had reconstructed.
The Magificent Early Wonders by Bernini
The Magificent Early Wonders by Bernini One can see Bernini's very first masterpiece, the Barcaccia water fountain, at the base of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, this area is filled with Roman locals and travelers alike who enjoy debate and each other's company.
Bernini would without a doubt have been happy to know that people still flock to what has become one the city's trendiest areas, that surrounding his amazing fountain. The master's first water fountain of his professional life was built at around 1630 at the behest of Pope Urbano VIII. People can now see the fountain as an illustration of a great ship slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. Period writings dating back to the 16th century show that the fountain was constructed as a monument to those who lost their lives in the great flooding of the Tevere. In 1665, France was graced by Bernini's one-and-only lengthy trip outside of Italy.