The Source of Modern Day Garden Fountains
The Source of Modern Day Garden 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 texts into Latin. In order to make Rome deserving of being the capital of the Christian world, the Pope resolved to enhance the beauty of the city. In 1453 the Pope commissioned the repairing of the Aqua Vergine, an historic Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away. The ancient Roman custom of marking the entry point of an aqueduct with an magnificent celebratory fountain, also known as a mostra, was restored 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 water which eventually provided 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.
The Magificent First Wonders by Bernini
The Magificent First Wonders by Bernini
One can find Bernini's earliest masterpiece, the Barcaccia water fountain, at the bottom of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, this spot is filled with Roman locals and tourists alike who enjoy debate and each other's company. The streets surrounding his water fountain have come to be one of the city’s most trendy meeting places, something which would certainly have pleased Bernini himself. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII commissioned what was to be the earliest water fountain of the master's career. Depicted in the fountain's design is a large ship gradually sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. According to 16th century texts, a great flood of the Tevere covered the entire area in water, an event which was memorialized by the magnificent fountain. Absenting himself from Italy only once in his life for a prolonged time period, in 1665 Bernini voyaged to France.
Your Garden: An Ideal Spot for a Wall Fountain
Your Garden: An Ideal Spot for a Wall Fountain The inclusion of a wall fountain or an outdoor garden fountain is an excellent way to embellish your yard or garden design. Many current designers and artisans have been inspired by historical fountains and water features. As such, introducing one of these to your home design is a great way to connect it to the past. In addition to the wonderful attributes of garden fountains, they also generate water and moisture which goes into the air, thereby, drawing in birds as well as other creatures and harmonizing the environment. For instance, irritating flying insects are usually deterred by the birds drawn to the fountain or birdbath.Wall fountains are a good option if your yard is small because they do not need much space in contrast 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 style which is self-contained and hangs on a wall, are some of the options from which you can choose. A water feature can be added to an existing wall if you include some type of fountain mask as well as a basin to collect the water below. The plumbing and masonry work necessary for this kind of work requires expertise, so it is best to hire a skilled person rather than go at it yourself.