Where did Large Garden Fountains Begin?
Where did Large Garden 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 drinkable water, as well as for decorative purposes. Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. 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 until the 19th century, fountains had to be more elevated and closer to a water source, including aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to take advantage of 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 artist who created it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often used by Romans to decorate their fountains. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. King Louis XIV of France wanted to demonstrate his superiority over nature by including fountains in the Gardens of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were extolled with baroque style fountains constructed to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
Urban fountains made at the end of the 19th century functioned only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the necessary drinking water. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Contemporary fountains are used to adorn public spaces, honor individuals or events, and enhance recreational and entertainment events.
Aqueducts: The Answer to Rome's Water Troubles
Aqueducts: The Answer to Rome's Water Troubles Aqua Anio Vetus, the first raised aqueduct built in Rome, commenced delivering the people living in the hills with water in 273 BC, although they had relied on natural springs up till then. When aqueducts or springs weren’t accessible, people living at raised elevations turned to water pulled from underground or rainwater, which was made available by wells and cisterns. Starting in the sixteenth century, a brand new system was introduced, using Acqua Vergine’s subterranean portions to generate water to Pincian Hill. Pozzi, or manholes, were constructed at standard intervals along the aqueduct’s channel. Whilst these manholes were developed to make it easier to preserve the aqueduct, it was also possible to use containers to remove water from the channel, which was exercised by Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi from the time he acquired the property in 1543 to his passing in 1552. The cistern he had constructed to collect rainwater wasn’t satisfactory to meet his water needs. To provide himself with a much more useful way to assemble water, he had one of the manholes opened up, offering him access to the aqueduct below his property.