The Magificent Early Masterpieces by Bernini
The Magificent Early Masterpieces by Bernini The Barcaccia, Bernini's very first water fountain, is a magnificent chef d'oeuvre built at the base of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. This spot is still filled with Roman locals and tourists who enjoy exchanging gossip or going over the day's news. Bernini would undoubtedly have been happy to know that people still flock to what has become one the city's trendiest areas, that surrounding his amazing water fountain. In about 1630, the great master designed the first fountain of his career at the behest of Pope Ubano VIII. A large boat slowly sinking into the Mediterranean is the fountain's central theme. The great 16th century flooding of the Tevere, which left the entire region inundated with water, was memorialized by the fountain according to documents from the period. In 1665, France was graced by Bernini's only prolonged journey outside of Italy.Where did Large Garden Fountains Originate from?

From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Residents of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains needed to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up until the 19th century, fountains had to be more elevated and closer to a water supply, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to benefit from gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the designer who created it. Roman fountains usually depicted images of animals or heroes made of metal or stone masks. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners incorporated fountains to create mini depictions of the gardens of paradise. To show his prominence over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to extol their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
The end of the 19th century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to purely decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Contemporary fountains are used to embellish community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.
The Earliest Documented Garden Water Fountains of Human History
The Earliest Documented Garden Water Fountains of Human History Water fountains were initially practical in purpose, used to convey water from canals or springs to cities and villages, supplying the residents with fresh water to drink, bathe, and cook with. To produce water flow through a fountain until the end of the 1800’s, and produce a jet of water, required gravity and a water source such as a creek or lake, located higher than the fountain.
The Many Reasons to Add a Fountain
The Many Reasons to Add a Fountain A good way to enhance the appearance of your outdoor living area is to add a wall fountain or an exterior garden fountain to your landscaping or garden design. A myriad of current designers and fountain craftsmen have found ideas in the fountains and water features of the past. As such, integrating one of these to your interior is a superb way to connect it to the past. The benefit of having a garden fountain goes beyond its beauty as it also appeals to birds and other wildlife, in addition to harmonizing the ecosystem with the water and moisture it emits into the atmosphere. For example, birds lured by a fountain or birdbath can be useful because they fend off bothersome flying insects.
The space required for a cascading or spouting fountain is substantial, so a wall fountain is the perfect size for a small yard. There are two types of fountains to pick from including the freestanding version with a flat back and an attached basin set up against a fence or a wall in your yard, or the wall-mounted, self-contained variety which is suspended directly on a wall. Both a fountain mask located on the existing wall as well as a basin located at the bottom to collect the water are necessary if you wish to include a fountain. The plumbing and masonry work necessary for this type of work requires training, so it is best to hire a skilled person rather than go at it yourself.