The Beautiful First Masterpieces by Bernini
The Beautiful First Masterpieces by Bernini One can find Bernini's earliest masterpiece, the Barcaccia fountain, at the base of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. This area is still filled with Roman locals and visitors who enjoy exchanging gossip or going over the day's news. Bernini would undoubtedly 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 career was built at around 1630 at the behest of Pope Urbano VIII. A massive boat slowly sinking into the Mediterranean is the fountain's central theme. According to 16th century documents, a great flood of the Tevere covered the entire area in water, an event which was commemorated by the tremendous fountain. In 1665, France was graced by Bernini's only prolonged journey outside of Italy.Rome’s Early Water Transport Solutions
Rome’s Early Water Transport Solutions Previous to 273, when the 1st elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was built in Roma, inhabitants who resided on hills had to travel further down to gather their water from natural sources. When aqueducts or springs weren’t available, people living at higher elevations turned to water pulled from underground or rainwater, which was made possible by wells and cisterns. In the very early sixteenth century, the city began to use the water that flowed beneath the earth through Acqua Vergine to provide drinking water to Pincian Hill.
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Begin?
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Begin?
From the beginning, outdoor fountains were soley there to serve as functional elements. Residents of cities, townships and small towns utilized them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains had to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Used until the nineteenth century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their origin of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from gravity. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were frequently seen on Roman fountains. To depict the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages introduced fountains to their designs. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains made to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. The introduction of unique water effects and the recycling of water were 2 things made possible by swapping gravity with mechanical pumps.
Beautifying city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the purposes of modern-day fountains.
The Godfather Of Rome's Fountains
The Godfather Of Rome's Fountains There are many renowned water features in the city center of Rome. Nearly all of them were designed, conceived and built by one of the finest sculptors and designers of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini.