The Magificent Early Wonders by Bernini
The Magificent Early Wonders by Bernini The Barcaccia, Bernini's first water fountain, is a striking chef d'oeuvre built at the foot of the Trinita dei Monti in Piaza di Spagna.
This spot is still filled with Roman locals and tourists who like to exchanging gossip or going over the day's news. The streets neighboring his water fountain have come to be one of the city’s most fashionable gathering places, something which would certainly have pleased Bernini himself. Dating back to around 1630, Pope Urbano VIII commissioned what was to be the very first water fountain of the master's career. Illustrated in the fountain's design is a large ship gradually sinking into the Mediterranean Sea. Period writings dating back to the 16th century indicate that the fountain was built as a memorial to those who lost their lives in the great flooding of the Tevere. Absenting himself from Italy only once in his life for a prolonged period of time, in 1665 Bernini traveled to France.
Keeping Your Outdoor Fountain Tidy
Keeping Your Outdoor Fountain Tidy To ensure that water fountains last a long time, it is vital to perform regular maintenance.
It is easy for foreign objects to find their way into outdoor fountains, so keeping it clean is important. Another factor is that water that is subjected to sunlight is vulnerable to growing algae. Mix hydrogen peroxide, sea salt, or vinegar into the water to avoid this particular dilemma. Some people opt for pouring bleach into the water, but the problem is that it harms wildlife - so it should be avoided. Every 3-4 months, garden fountains should undergo a serious cleaning. The initial task is to empty out all of the water. Once it is empty, scrub inside the reservoir with a mild cleanser. If there are any tiny grooves, grab a toothbrush to get every spot. Any soap residue left on your fountain can damage it, so be sure it is all rinsed off.
It is highly recommended taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and eliminate any plankton or calcium. Soaking it in vinegar for a time will make it easier to clean. If you want to remove build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water rather than tap water, as these don’t contain any ingredients that might stick to the inside of the pump.
And finally, make sure the water level is consistently full in order to keep your fountain working smoothly. Allowing the water to drop below the pump’s intake level, can cause severe damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!