When and Where Did Water Fountains Originate?
When and Where Did Water Fountains Originate? Pope Nicholas V, himself a learned man, reigned the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of old classic Greek texts into Latin. It was imperative for him to embellish the city of Rome to make it worthy of being known as the capital of the Christian world. At the behest of the Pope, the Aqua Vergine, a ruined aqueduct which had transported clean drinking water into Rome from eight miles away, was restored starting in 1453. Building a mostra, a grandiose commemorative fountain built by ancient Romans to memorialize the arrival point of an aqueduct, was a custom revived by Nicholas V. The architect Leon Battista Alberti was commissioned by the Pope to construct a wall fountain where we now find the Trevi Fountain. The aqueduct he had reconditioned included modifications and extensions which eventually enabled it to supply water to the Trevi Fountain as well as the renowned baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona.Pick from Countless Exterior Wall Fountain Designs
Pick from Countless Exterior Wall Fountain Designs If you want to create a place to relax as well as add some flair to a small area such as a patio or courtyard, wall fountains are perfect because they do not take up much space. The myriad of designs in outdoor wall fountains, including traditional, classic, contemporary, or Asian, means that you can find the one suitable to your wishes. If you are looking for a unique design, a custom-built one can be specially made to fit your specifications. Mounted and stand-alone fountains are obtainable on the market. You can install a mounted wall fountain because they are small and self-contained. One of the most important aspects of wall fountains is that they be lightweight, so they are normally made of fiberglass or resin to replicate the look of stone. Floor fountains are freestanding, sizable, and also have a basin on the ground as well as a flat side against the wall. Typically made of cast stone, these water features have no weight constraints.
Landscape designers often recommend a individualized fountain for a brand new or existing wall. A professional mason is necessary to place the water basin against the wall and properly install all the plumbing inside or behind the wall. You will need to integrate a spout or fountain mask into the wall. If you want a cohesive look for your garden, buy a customized wall fountain because it becomes part of the scenery rather than an afterthought.
Keeping Your Garden Fountain Clean
Keeping Your Garden Fountain Clean Water fountains will last a long time with routine cleaning and maintenance. A typical problem with fountains is that they tend to gather dirt and debris, so it is vital that you keep it free from this. Additionally, anywhere light from the sun combines with still water, algae can develop. Stir hydrogen peroxide, sea salt, or vinegar into the water to avoid this particular dilemma. There are those who like to use bleach, but that is hazardous to any animals that might drink or bathe in the water - so should therefore be avoided.Experts advise that the typical garden fountain undergoes a thorough cleaning every three-four months. First off you must drain the water. When you have done this, scrub inside the water reservoir with a mild detergent. A helpful tip is to use a toothbrush if there are tiny hard-to-reach spots. Make sure all the soap is completely washed off.
Calcium and fresh water organisms can get inside the pump, so you should really disassemble it to get it truly clean. Letting it soak in vinegar for a couple of hours first will make it alot easier to clean. Mineral or rain water, versus tap water, is ideal in order to avoid any build-up of chemicals inside the pump.
Lastly, make sure your fountain is always full by checking it every day - this will keep it in tip-top condition.
Permitting the water level to get too low can cause damage to the pump - and you certainly don't want that!
The Dissemination of Outdoor Fountain Design Knowledge
The Dissemination of Outdoor Fountain Design Knowledge Spreading practical hydraulic facts and water fountain design ideas throughout Europe was accomplished with the printed papers and illustrated publications of the time. In the late 1500's, a French water feature architect (whose name has been lost) was the internationally renowned hydraulics leader. His expertise in making gardens and grottoes with integrated and imaginative water features began in Italy and with mandates in Brussels, London and Germany. The text, “The Principles of Moving Forces,” penned towards the end of his lifetime in France, turned out to be the definitive text on hydraulic mechanics and engineering. Detailing the latest hydraulic technologies, the publication also modernized key hydraulic advancements of classical antiquity.
Prominent among these works were those of Archimedes, the inventor of the water screw, a mechanized way of transferring water. An beautiful spring with sunlight heating the water in two containers stashed in an nearby room was shown in one illustration. Actuating the water feature is hot water that expands and ascends to seal up the conduits. Designs for pumps, water wheels, water features and garden ponds are also covered in the book.