Ancient Crete & The Minoans: Outdoor Fountains

Select from Countless Outdoor Wall Fountain Styles
Select from Countless Outdoor Wall Fountain Styles
Mounted and free-standing fountains are readily available on the market. Small, self-contained models can be placed on a wall are known as mounted wall fountains. Wall fountains made of resin (resembling stone) or fiberglass are usually light so they can be easily hung. Large-sized free-standing wall fountains, commonly referred to as floor fountains, have their basins located on the floor and a flat side leaning on a wall. Water features such as these are ordinarily made of cast stone and have no weight restrictions.
Many skilled landscapers favor custom-built fountains which can be integrated into a brand-new wall or an existing one. Hiring an expert mason is your best option to build the basin and install the necessary plumbing. You will need to integrate a spout or fountain mask into the wall. The cohesive look produced by customized wall fountains make them appear to be part of the landscape rather than an afterthought.
The Genesis Of Outdoor Fountains
The Genesis Of Outdoor Fountains
The central purpose of a fountain was originally strictly functional. Residents of cities, townships and small towns used them as a source of drinking water and a place to wash, which meant that fountains needed to be connected to nearby aqueduct or spring. Up to the late 19th century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and higher than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or jet high into the air. Artists thought of fountains as wonderful additions to a living space, however, the fountains also served to provide clean water and celebrate the designer responsible for building it. Animals or heroes made of bronze or stone masks were often times used by Romans to decorate their fountains. Throughout the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden planners included fountains to create smaller 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.
Urban fountains created at the end of the 19th century served only as decorative and celebratory adornments since indoor plumbing provided the essential drinking water. Amazing water effects and recycled water were made possible by switching the force of gravity with mechanical pumps.
Contemporary fountains are used to adorn community spaces, honor individuals or events, and enrich recreational and entertainment events.