The Source of Modern Outdoor Water Fountains
The Source of Modern Outdoor Water Fountains The translation of hundreds of ancient Greek documents into Latin was commissioned by the scholarly Pope Nicholas V who led the Church in Rome from 1397 till 1455.
Beautifying Rome and making it the worthy capital of the Christian world was at the core of his ambitions. In 1453 the Pope instigated the repairing of the Aqua Vergine, an ancient Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away. Building a mostra, an imposing commemorative fountain built by ancient Romans to memorialize the entry point of an aqueduct, was a custom revived by Nicholas V. The architect Leon Battista Alberti was commissioned by the Pope to put up a wall fountain where we now see the Trevi Fountain. The aqueduct he had refurbished included modifications and extensions which eventually enabled it to supply water to the Trevi Fountain as well as the famed baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona.
Keeping Your Wall Water Fountain Tidy
Keeping Your Wall Water Fountain Tidy It is vital to carefully maintain water fountains for them to function properly. It is essential to clean it out and remove any debris or foreign objects that might have fallen into or onto it. Another factor is that water that is subjected to sunlight is susceptible to growing algae. Either sea salt, hydrogen peroxide, or vinegar can be blended into the water to prevent this issue.
Bleach can also be mixed into the water, but this is not the ideal option because it can sicken birds or other animals. A thorough cleaning every 3-4 months is best for garden fountains. The initial step is to get rid of all the water. Then use a soft rag and gentle cleanser to scrub the inside. If there are any little grooves, work with a toothbrush to get every spot. Any soap residue remaining on your fountain can harm it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.
It is highly recommended taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and get rid of any plankton or calcium. You might want to let it soak in vinegar for a few hours to make it easier to wash. If you want to eliminate build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water versus tap water, as these don’t contain any ingredients that might stick to the inside of the pump.
One final trick for keeping your fountain in top working shape is to check the water level every day and make sure it is full. If the water level falls below the pump’s intake level, it can hurt the pump and cause it to burn out - something you don't want to happen!
Gian Bernini's Outdoor Fountains
Gian Bernini's Outdoor Fountains
There are many renowned Roman fountains in its city center. Gian Lorenzo Bernini, one of the greatest sculptors and artists of the 17th century planned, conceived and constructed nearly all of them. His expertise as a water feature creator and also as a city designer, are obvious throughout the avenues of Rome. Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son, and they ultimately moved to Rome, in order to fully express their art, primarily in the form of public water fountains and water features. An excellent worker, the young Bernini earned praise and patronage of many popes and important artists. At the beginning he was known for his sculptural skills. Working seamlessly with Roman marble, he used a base of knowledge in the classic Greek architecture, most obviously in the Vatican. He was influenced by many a great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.
The Original Outdoor Water Features
The Original Outdoor Water Features The water from springs and other sources was originally provided to the occupants of nearby towns and municipalities via water fountains, whose purpose was largely practical, not aesthetic. A source of water higher in elevation than the fountain was required to pressurize the flow and send water squirting from the fountain's spout, a system without equal until the later part of the nineteenth century. The appeal and wonder of fountains make them perfect for historical monuments. Simple in design, the 1st water fountains did not look much like modern fountains. A stone basin, crafted from rock, was the 1st fountain, utilized for containing water for drinking and religious purposes. Rock basins are thought to have been first utilized around 2000 BC. Early fountains used in ancient civilizations relied on gravity to manipulate the movement of water through the fountain. Drinking water was provided by public fountains, long before fountains became ornate public statues, as pretty as they are practical. Fountains with flowery decoration started to appear in Rome in approx. 6 BC, usually gods and animals, made with natural stone or bronze. Water for the community fountains of Rome was brought to the city via a elaborate system of water aqueducts.