Water Fountains: The Minoan Culture

Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Originate from?

From the beginning, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Inhabitants of cities, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains needed to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water supply, including aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to take advantage of gravity which fed the fountains. Acting as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also provided clean, fresh drinking water. Roman fountains often depicted images of animals or heroes made of metal or stone masks. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create mini variations of the gardens of paradise. To show his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Urban fountains made at the end of the 19th century served only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Decorating city parks, honoring people or events and entertaining, are some of the functions of modern-day fountains.
Keeping Your Large Garden Fountains Tidy
Keeping Your Large Garden Fountains Tidy Proper care and regular upkeep are important to the longevity of water fountains. It is easy for foreign items to find their way into outside fountains, so keeping it clean is vital. On top of that, algae can be a problem, because sun hitting the water enables it to form quickly. In order to stay clear of this, there are some simple ingredients that can be mixed into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. Another option is to stir bleach into the water, but this action can harm wild animals and so should really be avoided.Every three-four months, garden fountains should go through a good cleaning. The initial step is to empty out all the water. Then use mild soap and a soft sponge to clean the innner part of the reservoir. Feel free to use a toothbrush if needed for any smaller crevasses. Any soap residue remaining on your fountain can damage it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.
It is highly recommended taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and eliminate any plankton or calcium. To make it less strenuous, soak it in vinegar for several hours before cleaning. Build-up can be a big problem, so use mineral or rain water over tap water, when possible, to reduce this dilemma.
Lastly, make sure your fountain is always full by checking on it every day - this will keep it in tip-top condition. Allowing the water to go below the pump’s intake level, can cause serious damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!