The Origins of Modern Wall Fountains
The Origins of Modern Wall Fountains Pope Nicholas V, himself a well educated man, reigned the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of old classic Greek documents into Latin. It was important for him to beautify the city of Rome to make it worthy of being called the capital of the Christian world. Restoration of the Acqua Vergine, a desolate Roman aqueduct which had transported fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the behest of the Pope. Building a mostra, an imposing celebratory fountain built by ancient Romans to memorialize the arrival point of an aqueduct, was a tradition revived by Nicholas V. At the bidding of the Pope, architect Leon Battista Alberti began the construction of a wall fountain in the place where we now find the Trevi Fountain. The aqueduct he had reconditioned included modifications and extensions which eventually allowed it to supply water to the Trevi Fountain as well as the famed baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona.The Countless Styles of Water Wall Fountains
The Countless Styles of Water Wall Fountains Small verandas or courtyards are a perfect place to install wall fountains since they add style to an area with limited space. Whatever style of outdoor wall fountain you are looking for whether it be traditional, contemporary, classic, or Asian you will undoubtedly find the one you like best. If you are looking for a unique design, a custom-built one can be specially made to fit your specifications.Mounted and stand-alone fountains are readily available on the market. You can hang a mounted wall fountain because they are small and self-contained.
Wall fountains made of resin (resembling stone) or fiberglass are normally light so they can be easily hung. In large stand-alone fountains, otherwise referred to as wall fountains, the basin is situated on the ground with the smooth side positioned against a wall. Water features such as these are typically made of cast stone and have no weight limits.
Landscape designers often recommend a individualized fountain for a brand new or existing wall. The basin and all the required plumbing are best installed by a trained mason. A fountain mask or a spout also needs to be incorporated into the wall. If you want a cohesive look for your garden, buy a customized wall fountain because it becomes part of the scenery rather than a later addition.
Contemporary Garden Decor: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Beginnings
Contemporary Garden Decor: Large Outdoor Water Fountains and their Beginnings A fountain, an incredible piece of engineering, not only supplies drinking water as it pours into a basin, it can also propel water high into the air for an extraordinary effect.From the beginning, outdoor fountains were soley there to serve as functional elements. People in cities, towns and villages received their drinking water, as well as water to bathe and wash, from aqueducts or springs in the vicinity. 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 gravity. Fountains were not only utilized as a water source for drinking water, but also to decorate homes and celebrate the designer who created it. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes.
To depict the gardens of paradise, Muslim and Moorish garden planners of the Middle Ages introduced fountains to their designs. The fountains found in the Gardens of Versailles were intended to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains built to mark the arrival points of Roman aqueducts.
The end of the 19th century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to provide drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. The introduction of special water effects and the recycling of water were 2 things made possible by swapping gravity with mechanical pumps.
These days, fountains decorate public areas and are used to recognize individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.