The Genesis Of Wall Fountains
The Genesis Of Wall Fountains A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to supply drinking water, as well as for decorative purposes.Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to supply potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains functioned using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the artist who created it.
Bronze or stone masks of wildlife and heroes were frequently seen on Roman fountains. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains made to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby restricting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
Original Water Supply Solutions in The City Of Rome
Original Water Supply Solutions in The City Of Rome Prior to 273, when the 1st elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was built in Rome, citizens who resided on hillsides had to travel even further down to gather their water from natural sources. Outside of these aqueducts and springs, wells and rainwater-collecting cisterns were the lone technologies obtainable at the time to supply water to segments of greater elevation.
In the very early sixteenth century, the city began to make use of the water that ran below ground through Acqua Vergine to deliver water to Pincian Hill. The aqueduct’s channel was made attainable by pozzi, or manholes, that were placed along its length when it was 1st developed. Even though they were originally designed to make it possible to support the aqueduct, Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi started using the manholes to accumulate water from the channel, starting when he obtained the property in 1543. Apparently, the rainwater cistern on his property wasn’t good enough to meet his needs. Thankfully, the aqueduct sat under his property, and he had a shaft established to give him access.