Rome’s Ingenious Water Transport Systems

Rome’s Ingenious Water Transport Systems With the development of the 1st raised aqueduct in Rome, the Aqua Anio Vetus in 273 BC, individuals who lived on the city’s hills no longer had to be dependent solely on naturally-occurring spring water for their needs. Outside of these aqueducts and springs, wells and rainwater-collecting cisterns were the lone technologies readily available at the time to supply water to areas of higher elevation. In the very early 16th century, the city began to use the water that flowed beneath the earth through Acqua Vergine to provide water to Pincian Hill. As originally constructed, the aqueduct was provided along the length of its channel with pozzi (manholes) constructed at regular intervals. The manholes made it easier to clean the channel, but it was also possible to use buckets to remove water from the aqueduct, as we witnessed with Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi when he operated the property from 1543 to 1552, the year he passed away. He didn’t get enough water from the cistern that he had constructed on his residential property to gather rainwater. Fortunately, the aqueduct sat below his residence, and he had a shaft opened to give him accessibility.

The Godfather Of Roman Public Fountains

The Godfather Of Roman Public Fountains There are lots of celebrated Roman fountains in its city center. One of the most distinguished sculptors and artists of the 17th century, Gian Lorenzo Bernini designed, conceptualized and built nearly all of them. Also a city architect, he had skills as a fountain designer, and remnants of his life's work are noticeable throughout the streets of Rome. Bernini's father, a renowned Florentine sculptor, mentored his young son, and they ultimately moved to Rome, in order to fully express their art, primarily in the form of public water fountains and water features. The juvenile Bernini was an great worker and attained compliments and backing of important artists as well as popes. His sculpture was originally his claim to celebrity. Working gracefully with Roman marble, he used a base of expertise in the ancient Greek architecture, most obviously in the Vatican. He was affected by many a great artists, however, Michelangelo had the biggest impact on his work.

The Public Water Fountains

The Public Water Fountains As initially developed, water fountains were designed to be practical, guiding water from creeks or reservoirs to the citizens of towns and settlements, where the water could be utilized for cooking, cleaning, and drinking. To make water flow through a fountain until the late 1800’s, and generate a jet of water, required gravity and a water source such as a spring or lake, located higher than the fountain. Commonly used as memorials and commemorative structures, water fountains have inspired travelers from all over the planet throughout the centuries. The contemporary fountains of modern times bear little similarity to the very first water fountains. Crafted for drinking water and ceremonial purposes, the initial fountains were basic carved stone basins. 2000 B.C. is when the earliest identified stone fountain basins were actually used. Public Water Fountains 731213238.jpg

The first civilizations that utilized fountains relied on gravity to force water through spigots. These historic fountains were created to be functional, frequently situated along reservoirs, streams and rivers to furnish drinking water. Fountains with ornamental Gods, mythological beasts, and creatures began to show up in Rome in about 6 BC, built from natural stone and bronze. A well-engineered system of reservoirs and aqueducts kept Rome's public fountains supplied with fresh water.