The Genesis Of Outdoor Fountains
The Genesis 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 provide drinking water, as well as for decorative purposes.
Originally, fountains only served a practical purpose. 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. Until the late 19th, century most water fountains functioned using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a source of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Artists thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to supply clean water and honor the designer responsible for creating it. The main components 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 mimic the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a considerable role in the Gardens of Versailles, all part of French King Louis XIV’s desire to exert his power over nature. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by adding decorative baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
Since indoor plumbing became the norm 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. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to permit fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
These days, fountains adorn public areas and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
Historic Crete & The Minoans: Water Features
Historic Crete & The Minoans: Water Features Fountains and Water and the Minoan Civilization In combination with offering water, they spread out water which accumulated from deluges or waste. Rock and terracotta were the materials of choice for these conduits. There were clay pipelines, both circular and rectangle-shaped as well as canals made from the same components. The cone-like and U-shaped terracotta piping which were uncovered haven’t been spotted in any other culture. Clay conduits were utilized to circulate water at Knossos Palace, running up to three meters under the floor surfaces. The piping also had other applications such as amassing water and diverting it to a centralized site for storage. To make this conceivable, the pipelines had to be created to handle: Subterranean Water Transportation: It’s not quite understood why the Minoans required to transport water without it being noticed. Quality Water Transportation: The pipelines may also have been chosen to carry water to fountains that were separate from the city’s normal system.