The Source of Today's Outdoor Water Fountains
The Source of Today's Outdoor Water Fountains 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 classical Greek documents into Latin. In order to make Rome deserving of being the capital of the Christian world, the Pope decided to enhance the beauty of the city. At the bidding of the Pope, the Aqua Vergine, a damaged aqueduct which had transported clean drinking water into Rome from eight miles away, was restored starting in 1453. A mostra, a monumental celebratory fountain built by ancient Romans to mark the point of entry of an aqueduct, was a custom which was revived by Nicholas V. At the behest of the Pope, architect Leon Battista Alberti undertook the construction of a wall fountain in the place where we now find the Trevi Fountain. The water which eventually supplied the Trevi Fountain as well as the acclaimed baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona came from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.A Short History of Early Outdoor Fountains
A Short History of Early Outdoor Fountains Water fountains were at first practical in function, used to deliver water from rivers or creeks to cities and villages, supplying the residents with fresh water to drink, bathe, and prepare food with. To generate water flow through a fountain until the end of the 1800’s, and generate a jet of water, required gravity and a water source such as a creek or lake, positioned higher than the fountain. Fountains spanning history have been designed as memorials, impressing hometown citizens and visitors alike. If you saw the first fountains, you wouldn't recognize them as fountains.
Crafted for drinking water and ceremonial purposes, the initial fountains were very simple carved stone basins. Stone basins are thought to have been first used around the year 2000 BC. Gravity was the energy source that controlled the oldest water fountains. These original fountains were built to be functional, usually situated along aqueducts, streams and waterways to provide drinking water. Fountains with flowery decoration started to show up in Rome in approximately 6 BC, normally gods and wildlife, made with natural stone or copper-base alloy. The remarkable aqueducts of Rome delivered water to the spectacular public fountains, most of which you can travel to today.
Outdoor Wall Fountains: The Numerous Designs on the Market
Outdoor Wall Fountains: The Numerous Designs on the Market
If you want to have 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 occupy much space. The multitude of designs in outdoor wall fountains, including traditional, classic, contemporary, or Asian, means that you can find the one best suited to your wishes. Your tastes dictate the type you buy so while there may not be a prefabricated fountain to satisfy you, you do have the option of having a customized one. The two types of fountains available to you include mounted and freestanding models. Small, self-contained mounted wall fountains can be hung on any surface. Normally made of resin (to look like stone) or fiber glass, these types of fountains are lightweight and easy to hang. Free-standing fountains, often referred to as floor fountains, are of considerable size, have a basin positioned on the ground and a smooth side which leans against a wall. Typically made of cast stone, these water features have no weight constraints.
It is a good idea to incorporate a custom-made fountain into a new or existing wall, something often suggested by landscape experts. Placing the basin against the wall and installing all the plumbing work requires a professional mason to do it correctly. It is also vital to add a spout or fountain mask to build it into the wall. The unified look produced by customized wall fountains make them appear to be part of the scenery rather than an afterthought.
Your Outdoor Living Area: An Ideal Spot for a Fountain
Your Outdoor Living Area: An Ideal Spot for a Fountain You can enhance your exterior space by adding a wall fountain or an outdoor garden water feature to your property or gardening project. Historical fountains and water features have stirred the notice of contemporary designers as well as fountain manufacturers. As such, the effect of integrating one of these to your interior decor connects it to past times. The benefit of having a garden fountain goes beyond its beauty as it also attracts birds and other wildlife, in addition to harmonizing the ecosystem with the water and moisture it emits into the atmosphere. Birds drawn to a fountain or bird bath often scare away irritating flying pests, for instance.Wall fountains are a good choice if your yard is small because they do not require much space in comparison to a spouting or cascading fountain. Either a freestanding fountain with an even back and an attached basin placed against a fence or a wall, or a wall-mounted kind which is self-contained and hangs on a wall, are some of the possibilities from which you can choose. A fountain can be added to an existing wall if you include some kind of fountain mask as well as a basin to gather the water at the bottom. It is best not to undertake this job yourself as professional plumbers and masons are best suited to do this type of work.