The Beginnings of Contemporary Wall Fountains
The Beginnings of Contemporary Wall Fountains Himself a highly educated man, Pope Nicholas V led the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 till 1455 and was responsible for the translation of hundreds of ancient documents from their original Greek into Latin. He undertook the beautification of Rome to turn it into the worthy capital of the Christian world. In 1453 the Pope instigated the repairing of the Aqua Vergine, an ancient Roman aqueduct which had carried clean drinking water into the city from eight miles away. Building a mostra, a grandiose commemorative fountain built by ancient Romans to memorialize the arrival point of an aqueduct, was a tradition revived by Nicholas V. The present-day site of the Trevi Fountain was previously occupied by a wall fountain commissioned by the Pope and built by the architect Leon Battista Alberti. 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.A Short History of the First Garden Water Features
A Short History of the First Garden Water Features As initially conceived, fountains were designed to be practical, guiding water from creeks or reservoirs to the inhabitants of towns and settlements, where the water could be used for cooking, washing, and drinking. Gravity was the power supply of water fountains up until the end of the nineteenth century, using the potent power of water traveling down hill from a spring or creek to squeeze the water through valves or other outlets. Inspiring and spectacular, big water fountains have been constructed as monuments in most cultures. When you enjoy a fountain nowadays, that is definitely not what the first water fountains looked like. Uncomplicated stone basins created from local stone were the original fountains, used for spiritual purposes and drinking water. Natural stone basins as fountains have been recovered from 2000 B.C.. The first civilizations that made use of fountains relied on gravity to force water through spigots. Located near aqueducts or creeks, the practical public water fountains provided the local population with fresh drinking water. The people of Rome began constructing ornate fountains in 6 BC, most of which were bronze or stone masks of creatures and mythological characters. A well-designed system of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public water fountains supplied with fresh water.The Positive Benefits of installing a garden fountain in Your Living Space
The Positive Benefits of installing a garden fountain in Your Living Space A good way to enhance the appeal of your outdoor living area is to add a wall water feature or an exterior garden fountain to your landscaping or garden layout.
Any number of current designers and fountain artisans have found ideas in the fountains and water features of the past. As such, integrating one of these to your interior is a great way to connect it to the past. Among the many attributes of these beautiful garden water features is the water and moisture they discharge into the air which attracts birds and other wild life as well as helps to balance the ecosystem. For instance, irritating flying insects are usually deterred by the birds attracted to the fountain or birdbath. The area necessary for a cascading or spouting fountain is considerable, so a wall fountain is the perfect size for a small yard. You can choose to put in a stand-alone fountain with a flat back and an connected basin propped against a fence or wall in your backyard, or a wall-mounted type which is self-contained and hung from a wall. A fountain can be added to an existing wall if you include some type of fountain mask as well as a basin to gather the water below. Be sure to work with a specialist for this type of job since it is better not to do it yourself due to the intricate plumbing and masonry work required.
Keep Your Outdoor Fountain Tidy
Keep Your Outdoor Fountain Tidy
In order to ensure that water fountains last a long time, it is vital to perform regular maintenance. Leaves, twigs, and insects often find their way into fountains, so it is essential to keep yours free from such things. Also, algae has a tendency to build up any place natural light meets water. Mix hydrogen peroxide, sea salt, or vinegar into the water to avoid this particular dilemma. Bleach can also be mixed into the water, but this is not an ideal option because it can sicken birds or other animals. A complete cleaning every 3-4 months is ideal for garden fountains. First you must empty the water. Then use a soft cloth and gentle cleanser to scrub the inside. If there is intricate artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Make sure all the soap is totally cleaned off.
Make sure you get rid of any calcium or plankton by taking the pump apart and scrubbing the inside properly. Letting it soak in vinegar for a couple of hours first will make it alot easier to clean. If you want to minimize build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water rather than tap water, as these don’t contain any components that will stick to the inside of the pump.
And finally, make sure the water level is always full in order to keep your fountain operating optimally. Low water levels can damage the pump - and you don't want that!