Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Begin?
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Begin? 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.From the beginning, outdoor fountains were soley meant to serve as functional elements. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to supply them with potable water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. 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 move down or shoot high into the air. Fountains were an optimal 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. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains built to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
The end of the 19th century saw the rise in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to purely decorative elements. Gravity was replaced by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for beautiful water displays.
Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for community spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational activities.
The Source of Modern Fountains
The Source of Modern Fountains The translation of hundreds of classic Greek documents into Latin was commissioned by the learned Pope Nicholas V who ruled the Church in Rome from 1397 until 1455. Beautifying Rome and making it the worthy capital of the Christian world was at the core of his ambitions.
Reconstruction of the Acqua Vergine, a ruined Roman aqueduct which had transported fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the bidding of the Pope. The ancient Roman tradition of building an awe-inspiring commemorative fountain at the point where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was revived by Nicholas V. The present-day site of the Trevi Fountain was previously occupied by a wall fountain commissioned by the Pope and constructed by the architect Leon Battista Alberti. The water which eventually furnished the Trevi Fountain as well as the renown baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona came from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.
Choose from Any Number of Outdoor Wall Fountain Designs
Choose from Any Number of Outdoor Wall Fountain Designs Small verandas or courtyards are a perfect place to install wall fountains because they add style to an area with little space. When looking at the many types of outdoor wall fountains available including traditional, antique, modern, or Asian, you are certain to find one best suited to your design ideas. Your preferences dictate the type you buy so while there may not be a prefabricated fountain to suit you, you do have the option of having a customized one.The two types of fountains available to you are mounted and freestanding models. Mounted wall fountains are small and self-contained versions which can be placed on a wall. Fountains of this kind need to be light, therefore, they are typically made of resin (resembling stone) or fiberglass. Floor fountains are freestanding, sizable, and also have a basin on the floor as well as a flat side against the wall. Water features such as these are typically manufactured of cast stone and have no weight limitations.
It is a good idea to integrate a custom-made fountain into a new or existing wall, something often suggested by landscape professionals. Hiring an expert mason is your best option to build the basin and install the required plumbing. The wall will need to have a spout or fountain mask incorporated into it. The unified look provided by custom-made wall fountains make them appear to be part of the scenery instead of an afterthought.