Early Crete & The Minoans: Water Features
Early Crete & The Minoans: Water Features A variety of different kinds of conduits have been discovered through archaeological digs on the island of Crete, the birthplace of Minoan civilization. They not merely aided with the water supplies, they extracted rainwater and wastewater as well.
Where did Garden Water Fountains Begin?
Where did Garden Water Fountains Begin? The incredible construction of a fountain allows it to provide clean water or shoot water high into air for dramatic effect and it can also serve as an excellent design feature to complete your home.
From the beginning, outdoor fountains were simply meant to serve as functional elements. Inhabitants of urban areas, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains had to be linked to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up until the nineteenth, fountains had to be higher and closer to a water source, such as aqueducts and reservoirs, in order to take advantage of gravity which fed the fountains. Fountains were an optimal source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and memorialize the artist. Roman fountains often depicted imagery of animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create mini depictions of the gardens of paradise. To show his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries were glorified with baroque style fountains made to mark the place of entry of Roman aqueducts.
The end of the 19th century saw the increase in usage of indoor plumbing to supply drinking water, so urban fountains were relegated to strictly decorative elements. Gravity was substituted by mechanical pumps in order to enable fountains to bring in clean water and allow for amazing water displays.
Nowadays, fountains decorate public areas and are used to recognize individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.