A Short History of the Early Water Features
A Short History of the Early Water Features As initially developed, water fountains were designed to be practical, guiding water from creeks or aqueducts to the citizens of towns and villages, where the water could be used for cooking food, washing, and drinking. In the years before electricity, the spray of fountains was powered by gravity only, often using an aqueduct or water source located far away in the surrounding hills. The splendor and spectacle of fountains make them perfect for historic memorials. When you see a fountain nowadays, that is definitely not what the 1st water fountains looked like. A stone basin, crafted from rock, was the 1st fountain, utilized for containing water for drinking and religious purposes. Rock basins are thought to have been 1st used around 2000 BC. Early fountains used in ancient civilizations depended on gravity to regulate the flow of water through the fountain. Drinking water was delivered by public fountains, long before fountains became elaborate public statues, as beautiful as they are practical. Fountains with decorative Gods, mythological beasts, and animals began to appear in Rome in about 6 B.C., crafted from stone and bronze. The Romans had an intricate system of aqueducts that supplied the water for the countless fountains that were situated throughout the urban center.The Father Of Rome's Fountain Design And Style

Aqueducts: The Remedy to Rome's Water Challenges
Aqueducts: The Remedy to Rome's Water Challenges Previous to 273, when the first elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was built in Roma, citizens who resided on hillsides had to journey even further down to gather their water from natural sources. Outside of these aqueducts and springs, wells and rainwater-collecting cisterns were the sole techniques around at the time to supply water to spots of greater elevation. Beginning in the sixteenth century, a brand new method was introduced, using Acqua Vergine’s subterranean sectors to supply water to Pincian Hill.
Modern Garden Decor: Fountains and their Beginnings

Originally, fountains only served a functional purpose. Cities, towns and villages made use of nearby aqueducts or springs to provide them with drinking water as well as water where they could bathe or wash. Used until the 19th century, in order for fountains to flow or shoot up into the air, their origin of water such as reservoirs or aqueducts, had to be higher than the water fountain in order to benefit from the power of gravity. Fountains were an excellent source of water, and also served to adorn living areas and celebrate the designer. Roman fountains often depicted images of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. The fountains seen in the Gardens of Versailles were meant to show the power over nature held by King Louis XIV of France. Seventeen and 18 century Popes sought to laud their positions by adding beautiful baroque-style fountains at the point where restored Roman aqueducts arrived into the city.
The end of the 19th century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to purely decorative elements. Amazing water effects and recycled water were made possible by replacing the power of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Modern-day fountains function mostly as decoration for open spaces, to honor individuals or events, and enhance entertainment and recreational activities.