A Chronicle of Garden Water Fountains
A Chronicle of Garden Water Fountains Pope Nicholas V, himself a well educated man, ruled the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of ancient classical Greek texts into Latin. It was important for him to beautify the city of Rome to make it worthy of being called the capital of the Christian world.
At the behest of the Pope, the Aqua Vergine, a damaged aqueduct which had carried clean drinking water into Rome from eight miles away, was reconditioned starting in 1453. The ancient Roman tradition of building an imposing commemorative fountain at the location where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was resurrected 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 Trevi Fountain as well as the renowned baroque fountains located in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona were eventually supplied with water from the altered aqueduct he had reconstructed.
Where did Landscape Fountains Originate from?
Where did Landscape Fountains Originate from? The dramatic or decorative effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, as well as supplying drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property.Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains.
Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to provide drinkable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water flow down or jet high into the air. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and memorialize the designer. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to beautify their fountains. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller versions of the gardens of paradise. The fountains found in the Gardens of Versailles were supposed to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains made to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
The end of the 19th century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.
Modern-day fountains serve mostly as decoration for public spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational events.
The Various Construction Materials of Outdoor Water fountains
The Various Construction Materials of Outdoor Water fountains Garden fountains nowadays are commonly made from metal, although you can find them in other materials too. Metals tend to yield clean lines and unique sculptural accents and can fit almost any design theme or budget. If you have a modern look and feel to your interior design, your yard and garden should reflect that same style.A popular choice today is copper, and it is used in the designing of many sculptural garden fountains. Copper fountains are the ideal option because they are perfect for the inside and outside. Another benefit of copper fountains is they are flexible and come in a wide variety of styles.
Also popular, brass fountains typically have a more old-fashioned appearance to them versus their copper counterpart. Brass fountains are frequently designed with intriguing artwork, so they are popular even if they are a bit conventional.
Most folks today see stainless steel as the most modern option. If you choose a cutting-edge steel design, both the value and tranquility of your garden will get a nice boost.
Just like other water features, they come in a variety of sizes.
For people who want the visual appeal of a metal fountain but want a lighter weight and more affordable option, fiberglass is the answer. Keeping a fiberglass water fountain clean and working well is quite easy, another aspect consumers love.
Did You Know How Technical Concepts of Fountains Became Known?
Did You Know How Technical Concepts of Fountains Became Known? The circulated reports and illustrated books of the day contributed to the advancements of scientific innovation, and were the chief methods of spreading useful hydraulic concepts and water fountain ideas throughout Europe. An internationally recognized innovator in hydraulics in the late 1500's was a French water fountain engineer, whose name has been lost to history. With Royal mandates in Brussels, London and Germany, he began his career in Italy, acquiring experience in garden design and grottoes with integrated and clever water hydraulics. “The Principles of Moving Forces”, a guide that turned into the essential book on hydraulic mechanics and engineering, was authored by him toward the end of his lifetime in France.
The publication updated important hydraulic discoveries since classical antiquity as well as detailing modern hydraulic technologies. Prominent among these works were those of Archimedes, the developer of the water screw, a mechanized way of transferring water. Natural light warmed the liquid in two undetectable vessels adjoining to the beautiful fountain were displayed in an illustration. The end result: the water fountain is activated by the heated water expanding and rising up the piping. Pumps, water wheels, water features and backyard pond concepts are included in the text.