The Origins Of Outdoor Fountains
The Origins Of Outdoor Fountains A water fountain is an architectural piece that pours water into a basin or jets it high into the air in order to supply drinking water, as well as for decorative purposes.Pure functionality was the original purpose of fountains. Residents of cities, townships and small towns utilized them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash up, which meant that fountains had to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up to the late nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water flow downwards or jet high into the air. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and memorialize the artist. The main components used by the Romans to build their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly illustrating animals or heroes. Muslims and Moorish garden designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. To show his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. To mark the entryway of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the building of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts arrived in the city of Rome
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements.
The introduction of unique water effects and the recycling of water were two things made possible by replacing gravity with mechanical pumps.
Nowadays, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
Keep Your Large Outdoor Fountain Clean
Keep Your Large Outdoor Fountain Clean Adequate care and regular upkeep are important to the longevity of water fountains. It is easy for foreign objects to find their way into outdoor fountains, so keeping it clean is vital.
Additionally, anywhere light from the sun combines with still water, algae can develop. Mix hydrogen peroxide, sea salt, or vinegar into the water to avoid this particular issue. Bleach can also be put into the water, but this is not the ideal option as it can harm birds or other animals. A complete cleaning every three-four months is best for garden fountains. Before you can start cleaning it you must empty out all of the water. When you have done this, scrub inside the water reservoir with a gentle detergent. If there is delicate artwork, you might need to use a toothbrush for those hard-to-reach areas. Be sure to carefully rinse the interior of the fountain to make sure all the soap is gone.
Make sure you get rid of any calcium or plankton by taking the pump apart and washing the inside carefully. Soaking it in vinegar for a bit will make it easier to wash. If you want to minimize build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water versus tap water, as these don’t contain any elements that will stick to the inside of the pump.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you notice that the level is depleted. If the water level falls below the pump’s intake level, it can hurt the pump and cause it to burn out - something you don't want to happen!
Bernini's Earliest Showpieces
Bernini's Earliest Showpieces
The Barcaccia, Bernini's very first water fountain, is a striking chef d'oeuvre built at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna. This area is still filled with Roman locals and visitors who enjoy exchanging gossip or going over the day's news. One of the city’s most stylish gathering places are the streets surrounding Bernini's fountain, which would undoubtedly have brought a smile to the great Bernini. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII mandated what was to be the very first water fountain of the artist's career. The fountain’s central theme is based on an enormous ship slowly sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. The great 16th century flood of the Tevere, which left the entire region inundated with water, was memorialized by the fountain according to writings from the period. Absenting himself from Italy only once in his life for a prolonged period of time, in 1665 Bernini traveled to France.
How Mechanical Designs of Fountains Spread
How Mechanical Designs of Fountains Spread Spreading pragmatic hydraulic information and water fountain design ideas throughout Europe was accomplished with the written papers and illustrated publications of the time.
An un-named French water fountain engineer was an internationally renowned hydraulic pioneer in the later part of the 1500's. With Royal mandates in Brussels, London and Germany, he started his career in Italy, acquiring know-how in garden design and grottoes with incorporated and ingenious water hydraulics. In France, near the closure of his lifetime, he penned “The Principle of Moving Forces”, a publication which turned into the fundamental text on hydraulic technology and engineering. Modernizing vital hydraulic findings of classical antiquity, the publication also explains contemporary hydraulic technologies. The water screw, a technical method to move water, and invented by Archimedes, was highlighted in the book. Two undetectable vessels heated up by sunlight in a area adjacent to the ornamental water feature were found in an illustration. The end result: the fountain is activated by the heated liquid expanding and ascending up the piping. The publication additionally includes garden ponds, water wheels, water feature designs.