Aqueducts: The Solution to Rome's Water Troubles
Aqueducts: The Solution to Rome's Water Troubles Previous to 273, when the first elevated aqueduct, Aqua Anio Vetus, was built in Roma, residents who lived on hillsides had to journey even further down to collect their water from natural sources. Outside of these aqueducts and springs, wells and rainwater-collecting cisterns were the sole technological innovations available at the time to supply water to spots of higher elevation. Beginning in the sixteenth century, a unique strategy was introduced, using Acqua Vergine’s subterranean segments to supply water to Pincian Hill. All through the length of the aqueduct’s route were pozzi, or manholes, that gave entry. Whilst these manholes were developed to make it easier to sustain the aqueduct, it was also possible to use buckets to pull water from the channel, which was practiced by Cardinal Marcello Crescenzi from the time he invested in the property in 1543 to his passing in 1552. Despite the fact that the cardinal also had a cistern to accumulate rainwater, it couldn't supply a sufficient amount of water. To give himself with a much more practical way to gather water, he had one of the manholes exposed, offering him access to the aqueduct below his property.The Origins of Modern Outdoor Wall Fountains
The Origins of Modern Outdoor Wall Fountains
Pope Nicholas V, himself a well educated man, reigned the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of old classic Greek documents into Latin. He undertook the beautification of Rome to turn it into the worthy capital of the Christian world. At the behest of the Pope, the Aqua Vergine, a damaged aqueduct which had carried clean drinking water into Rome from eight miles away, was restored starting in 1453. Building a mostra, an imposing commemorative fountain built by ancient Romans to memorialize the arrival point of an aqueduct, was a tradition revived by Nicholas V. The architect Leon Battista Alberti was commissioned by the Pope to build a wall fountain where we now find the Trevi Fountain. The water which eventually supplied the Trevi Fountain as well as the renown baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona came from the modified aqueduct which he had renovated.
The Genesis Of Wall Fountains
The Genesis 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 drinking water, as well as for decorative purposes.
Pure practicality was the original purpose of fountains. Water fountains were linked to a spring or aqueduct to provide potable water as well as bathing water for cities, townships and villages. Until the late nineteenth, century most water fountains operated using the force of gravity to allow water to flow or jet into the air, therefore, they needed a supply of water such as a reservoir or aqueduct located higher than the fountain. Fountains were an optimal source of water, and also served to decorate living areas and memorialize the artist. The main materials used by the Romans to create their fountains were bronze or stone masks, mostly depicting animals or heroes. Muslims and Moorish landscaping designers of the Middle Ages included fountains to re-create smaller models of the gardens of paradise. Fountains enjoyed a significant 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.
Urban fountains built at the end of the 19th century functioned only as decorative and celebratory ornaments since indoor plumbing provided the necessary drinking water. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity enabled fountains to bring recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
These days, fountains decorate public spaces and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The Beauty of Simple Garden Decor: The Garden Fountain
The Beauty of Simple Garden Decor: The Garden Fountain Having a pond in the vicinity of your garden water fountain is no longer required because they can now be placed on a wall close by. Digging, installing and cleaning a nearby pond are no longer needed. There is no plumbing work necessary with this type self-contained water feature.
Do not forget, however, to add water at regular intervals. Your pond and the nearby area are sure to get dirty at some point so be sure to empty the water from the basin and replace it with fresh water. Any number of materials can be used to make garden wall fountains, but stone and metal are the most frequently used. You need to know the look you are shooting for in order to decide on the best material. It is important to purchase hand-crafted, lightweight garden wall features which are also easy to set up. Ensure that your fountain is manageable as far as upkeep is concerned. Generally, most installations are straight forward because the only pieces which may require examination are the re-circulating pump and the hanging hardware whereas other kinds of setups can be a little more difficult. You can rest assured your garden can be easily juiced up by installing this type of fountain.