The Minoan Civilization: Fountains

Where did Large Garden Fountains Come From?
Where did Large Garden Fountains Come From? The dramatic or ornamental effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, in addition to providing drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property.From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to supply potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Up to the late 19th century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water flow downwards or jet high into the air. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were commonly seen on Roman fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries created baroque decorative fountains to exalt the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the spot where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.
Since indoor plumbing became the norm of the day for clean, 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 allowed fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
Water Delivery Solutions in Historic Rome
Water Delivery Solutions in Historic Rome Aqua Anio Vetus, the first raised aqueduct founded in Rome, began supplying the men and women living in the hills with water in 273 BC, though they had depended on natural springs up until then.