When and Where Did Water Features Emerge?
When and Where Did Water Features Emerge? Pope Nicholas V, himself a learned man, ruled the Roman Catholic Church from 1397 to 1455 during which time he commissioned many translations of ancient classical Greek documents into Latin. It was important for him to embellish the city of Rome to make it worthy of being called the capital of the Christian world. Restoration of the Acqua Vergine, a desolate Roman aqueduct which had carried fresh drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the behest of the Pope. Building a mostra, an imposing celebratory fountain built by ancient Romans to memorialize the entry point of an aqueduct, was a tradition revived by Nicholas V. The architect Leon Battista Alberti was directed by the Pope to build a wall fountain where we now find the Trevi Fountain. Modifications and extensions, included in the restored aqueduct, eventually provided the Trevi Fountain and the well-known baroque fountains in the Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Navona with the necessary water supply.Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Come From?
Where did Large Outdoor Fountains Come From?
The amazing or decorative effect of a fountain is just one of the purposes it fulfills, as well as providing drinking water and adding a decorative touch to your property. From the beginning, outdoor fountains were soley meant to serve as functional elements. Residents of cities, townships and small towns utilized 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 nineteenth century, water fountains had to be near an aqueduct or reservoir and more elevated than the fountain so that gravity could make the water move downwards or shoot high into the air. Fountains were not only used as a water source for drinking water, but also to adorn homes and celebrate the artist who created it. Bronze or stone masks of animals and heroes were frequently seen on Roman fountains. During the Middle Ages, Muslim and Moorish garden designers included fountains in their designs to mimic the gardens of paradise. To demonstrate his dominance over nature, French King Louis XIV included fountains in the Garden of Versailles. To mark the entryway of the restored Roman aqueducts, the Popes of the 17th and 18th centuries commissioned the construction of baroque style fountains in the spot where the aqueducts arrived in the city of Rome
Indoor plumbing became the key source of water by the end of the 19th century thereby limiting urban fountains to mere decorative elements. Fountains using mechanical pumps instead of gravity allowed fountains to provide recycled water into living spaces as well as create special water effects.
Nowadays, fountains decorate public areas and are used to pay tribute to individuals or events and fill recreational and entertainment needs.
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Large Outdoor Fountains
The One Cleaning Solution to NEVER Use On Your Large Outdoor Fountains It is vital to carefully maintain water fountains for them to function properly. A typical concern with fountains is that they tend to gather dirt and debris, so it is essential that you keep it free from this. Another factor is that water that is exposed to sunlight is vulnerable to growing algae. Mix hydrogen peroxide, sea salt, or vinegar into the water to avoid this particular dilemma. Some people opt for adding bleach into the water, but the drawback is that it harms wildlife - so it should be avoided.Experts recommend that the typical garden fountain undergoes a thorough cleaning every 3-4 months. First you must drain the water. When you have done this, scrub inside the water reservoir with a mild detergent. A helpful tip is to use a toothbrush if there are small hard-to-reach spots. Make sure all the soap is totally cleaned off.
Calcium and fresh water organisms could get inside the pump, so you should really disassemble it to get it truly clean.
Letting it soak in vinegar for a few hours first will make it much easier to clean. Mineral or rain water, versus tap water, is ideal in order to eliminate any build-up of chemicals inside the pump.
Lastly, make sure your fountain is always full by checking on it every day - this will keep it in tip-top condition. Allowing the water level to get too low can cause damage to the pump - and you certainly don't want that!