The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Large Garden Fountains

No more than 3-4 months should really go by without an extensive cleaning of a fountain. Before you can start washing it you need to empty out all of the water. As soon as it is empty, wash inside the reservoir with a gentle cleanser. If there are any small grooves, use a toothbrush to reach each and every spot. Be sure to thoroughly rinse the inside of the fountain to make sure all the soap is gone.
Some organisms and calcium deposits can get inside the pump, so it is best to take it apart and clean it completely. Soaking it in vinegar for a time will make it easier to scrub. Mineral or rain water, versus tap water, is ideal in order to avoid any build-up of chemicals inside the pump.
And finally, make sure the water level is always full in order to keep your fountain working smoothly. Low water levels can ruin the pump - and you do not want that!
Gian Bernini's Outdoor Fountains

The Magificent First Wonders by Bernini
The Magificent First Wonders by Bernini The Barcaccia, Bernini's first fountain, is a magnificent chef d'oeuvre built at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. To this day, this area is flooded with Roman locals and tourists alike who enjoy debate and each other's company. One of the city’s most fashionable gathering places are the streets surrounding Bernini's fountain, which would certainly have brought a smile to the great Bernini. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII mandated what was to be the earliest water fountain of the master's career. Depicted in the fountain's design is a large ship slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. The great 16th century flood of the Tevere, which left the entire region inundated with water, was memorialized by the water fountain according to writings from the period.