The Origins Of Wall Fountains
The Origins Of Wall 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 drinkable water, as well as for decorative purposes. From the onset, outdoor fountains were simply meant to serve as functional elements. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to provide potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Up to the late 19th 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 down or shoot high into the air. Serving as an element of decoration and celebration, fountains also generated clean, fresh drinking water. The main components used by the Romans to create 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 demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. The Romans of the 17th and 18th centuries manufactured baroque decorative fountains to glorify the Popes who commissioned them as well as to mark the location where the restored Roman aqueducts entered the city.
Indoor plumbing became the main source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Amazing water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
These days, fountains adorn public spaces and are used to honor individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The Source of Modern Outdoor Garden Fountains
The Source of Modern Outdoor Garden Fountains Pope Nicholas V, himself a learned man, ruled the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of old classic Greek texts into Latin. He undertook the embellishment of Rome to turn it into the worthy capital of the Christian world. In 1453 the Pope commissioned the rebuilding of the Aqua Vergine, an historic Roman aqueduct which had carried clean drinking water into the city from eight miles away. The historical Roman tradition of marking the arrival point of an aqueduct with an magnificent celebratory fountain, also known as a mostra, was restored by Nicholas V. At the behest of the Pope, architect Leon Battista Alberti began the construction of a wall fountain in the spot where we now find the Trevi Fountain.
The water which eventually provided the Trevi Fountain as well as the famed baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona came from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Water Wall Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Water Wall Fountains It is important to carefully maintain water fountains for them to function properly. 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 exposed to sunlight is susceptible to growing algae. In order to avoid this, there are some basic ingredients that can be mixed into the water, such as vinegar, sea salt, or hydrogen peroxide. There are those who choose to use bleach, but that is dangerous to any animals that might drink or bathe in the water - so should therefore be avoided. A complete cleaning every three-four months is ideal for garden fountains. Before cleaning, all of the water must be eliminated. Once it is empty, clean inside the reservoir with a gentle cleanser. A good tip is to use a toothbrush if there are tiny hard-to-reach spots. Do not leave any soap residue inside or on the fountain.
It is highly recommended taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and remove any plankton or calcium. To make it less strenuous, soak it in vinegar for a while before cleaning. If you want to eliminate build-up in your fountain, use rain water or mineral water rather than tap water, as these don’t contain any components that will stick to the inside of the pump.
One final tip for keeping your fountain in top working shape is to check the water level every day and make sure it is full. If the water level slides below the pump’s intake level, it can hurt the pump and cause it to burn out - something you do not want to happen!