The Origins Of Outdoor Fountains

The Origins Of Outdoor Fountains The incredible architecture of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to enhance your home.

Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Water fountains were connected to a spring or aqueduct to provide drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages.Origins Outdoor Fountains 5073434887469397658.jpg Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be more elevated and closer to a water source, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and celebrate the designer. The main components used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by including beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.

Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for fresh, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely ornamental. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.

Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for community spaces, to honor individuals or events, and compliment entertainment and recreational events.

The Effect of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon Gardens

The Effect of the Norman Invasion on Anglo-Saxon GardensEffect Norman Invasion Anglo-Saxon Gardens 30312702585384.jpg The arrival of the Normans in the latter half of the 11th century significantly modified The Anglo-Saxon ways of living. Architecture and gardening were abilities that the Normans excelled in, trumping that of the Anglo-Saxons at the time of the occupation. However the Normans had to pacify the overall territory before they could focus on home life, domestic architecture, and decoration. Castles were more fundamental constructions and often built on blustery hills, where their tenants spent both time and space to exercising offense and defense, while monasteries were considerable stone buildings, regularly positioned in the widest, most fruitful hollows. Relaxing pastimes such as gardening were out of place in these destitute citadels. The finest specimen of the early Anglo-Norman style of architecture existent presently is Berkeley Castle. The keep is rumored to have been created during the time of William the Conqueror. A large terrace intended for strolling and as a way to stop attackers from mining under the walls runs about the building. On one of these parapets is a picturesque bowling green covered in grass and bordered by an aged hedge of yew that has been designed into coarse battlements.

Ancient Crete & The Minoans: Wall Fountains

Ancient Crete & The Minoans: Wall Fountains Fountains and Water and the Minoan CivilizationAncient Crete & Minoans: Wall Fountains 349947965461471.jpg In combination with offering water, they distributed water which gathered from storms or waste material. The chief components used were rock or terracotta. Terracotta was utilized for channels and pipelines, both rectangular and spherical. There are a couple of good examples of Minoan terracotta conduits, those with a shortened cone shape and a U-shape which have not been seen in any civilization since that time. Knossos Palace had an state-of-the-art plumbing system made of clay pipes which ran up to three meters below ground. The clay water lines were also made use of for amassing and storing water. Thus, these piping had to be able to: Underground Water Transportation: This particular system’s hidden nature might suggest that it was originally created for some type of ritual or to allocate water to limited communities. Quality Water Transportation: Considering the data, several scholars advocate that these pipelines were not hooked up to the common water delivery system, supplying the residence with water from a various source.
Anglo-Saxon Grounds at the Time of the Norman Conquest The introduction of the Normans in the second half of the 11th century irreparably altered The Anglo-Saxon lifestyle.The talent of the Normans surpassed the Anglo-Saxons' in architecture and agriculture at the time of the conquest.... read more


Inventors of the First Outdoor Fountains Water fountain designers were multi-talented individuals from the 16th to the later part of the 18th century, often serving as architects, sculptors, artisans, engineers and cultivated scholars all in one person.... read more


The Various Construction Materials of Large Garden Fountains Most modern-day garden fountains come in metal, although various other types exist.Those made from metals have clean lines and unique sculptural elements, and are versatile enough to fit any budget and decor.... read more


The Many Kinds of Wall Fountains Placing a wall fountain in your yard or patio is perfect when you want to unwind.You can also make the most of a small space by having one custom-built.Whether it is stand alone or mounted, you will need a spout, a water basin, internal piping, and a pump.... read more


Backyard Elegance: Fountains Having a pond in the vicinity of your garden water fountain is no longer necessary because they can now be situated on a wall close by.Due to the various options available, it no longer necessary to contend with excavations, complcated installations or cleaning the pond.... read more