Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Begin?

From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply there to serve as functional elements. Inhabitants of cities, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains needed to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their source of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Artists thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and celebrate the designer responsible for creating it. The main materials used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to re-create the gardens of paradise. Fountains played a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exercise his power over nature. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains made to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.

Since indoor plumbing became the standard of the day for clean, drinking water, by the end of the 19th century urban fountains were no longer needed for this purpose and they became purely decorative. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity helped fountains to deliver recycled water into living spaces as well as create unique water effects.

Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for community spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational events.

The Many Designs of Wall Water Fountains

Depending on your wishes, you can pick from mounted or freestanding types. Mounted wall fountains are little and self-contained versions which can be hung on a wall. One of the most important aspects of wall fountains is that they be lightweight, so they are normally made of fiberglass or resin to mirror the look of stone. Large-sized free-standing wall fountains, often referred to as floor fountains, have their basins located on the floor and a smooth side leaning on a wall. There are no weight limits on these sorts of cast stone water features.

Many experienced landscapers prefer custom-built fountains which can be incorporated into a brand-new wall or an existing one. Hiring an expert mason is your best option to build the basin and install the required plumbing. It is also vital to include a spout or fountain mask to build it into the wall. The cohesive look produced by custom-made wall fountains make them appear to be part of the landscape instead of an afterthought.