Back Story of Garden Water Fountains

Back Story of Garden Water Fountains Pope Nicholas V, himself a well educated man, governed the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of old classical Greek documents into Latin. He undertook the beautification of Rome to turn it into the model seat of the Christian world. Back Story Garden Water Fountains 5793819017402809156.jpg

Back Story Garden Water Fountains 5793819017402809156.jpg

Reconstruction of the Acqua Vergine, a desolate Roman aqueduct which had transported fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the bidding of the Pope. A mostra, a monumental dedicatory fountain constructed by ancient Romans to mark the point of entry of an aqueduct, was a tradition which was revived by Nicholas V. At the bidding of the Pope, architect Leon Battista Alberti undertook the construction of a wall fountain in the spot where we now find the Trevi Fountain. The Trevi Fountain as well as the well-known baroque fountains found in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona were eventually supplied with water from the altered aqueduct he had rebuilt.

Archaic Greek Artistry: Outdoor Statuary

Archaic Greek Artistry: Outdoor Statuary Archaic Greeks were well known for creating the first freestanding statuary; up until then, most carvings were constructed out of walls and pillars as reliefs. Kouros figures, statues of adolescent, good-looking male or female (kore) Greeks, made up the majority of the sculptures. Symbolizing beauty to the Greeks, the kouroi were designed to appear stiff and always had foot in front; the males were healthy, powerful, and nude. The kouroi became life-sized commencing in 650 BC. The Archaic period was an amazing point of transformation for the Greeks as they expanded into new forms of government, created unique expressions of art, and gained information of the people and cultures outside of Greece. Throughout this time and other periods of historical tumultuousness, encounters often happened, including wars fought amongst city-states such as the Arcadian wars and the Spartan invasion of Samos.

Anglo-Saxon Gardens at the Time of the Norman Conquest

Anglo-Saxon Gardens at the Time of the Norman Conquest The Anglo-Saxon way of life was significantly changed by the introduction of the Normans in the later eleventh century. Anglo-Saxon Gardens Time Norman Conquest 6829902971594055.jpg

Anglo-Saxon Gardens Time Norman Conquest 6829902971594055.jpg

The talent of the Normans surpassed the Anglo-Saxons' in design and farming at the time of the conquest. But there was no time for home life, domesticated design, and decoration until the Normans had overcome the whole region. Because of this, castles were cruder constructions than monasteries: Monasteries were often important stone buildings located in the biggest and most fecund valleys, while castles were built on windy crests where their residents dedicated time and space to projects for offense and defense. The calm practice of gardening was unlikely in these dismal bastions. The early Anglo-Norman style of architecture is portrayed in Berkeley Castle, which is most likely the most unscathed example we have. It is said that the keep was created during William the Conqueror's time. An enormous terrace encompasses the building, serving as an impediment to assailants attempting to dig under the castle walls. One of these terraces, a charming bowling green, is covered grass and flanked by an aged yew hedge trimmed into the shape of crude battlements.