At What Point Did Water Features Emerge?
At What Point 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 texts into Latin. He undertook the embellishment of Rome to turn it into the worthy seat of the Christian world. Restoration of the Acqua Vergine, a desolate Roman aqueduct which had transported clean drinking water into the city from eight miles away, began in 1453 at the bidding of the Pope. The ancient Roman custom of building an awe-inspiring commemorative fountain at the location where an aqueduct arrived, also known as a mostra, was revived by Nicholas V. At the bidding of the Pope, architect Leon Battista Alberti undertook the construction of a wall fountain in the place where we now find the Trevi Fountain. The Trevi Fountain as well as the well-known baroque fountains located in the Piazza del Popolo and the Piazza Navona were eventually supplied with water from the modified aqueduct he had rebuilt.
Keep Your Garden Fountain Clean
Keep Your Garden Fountain Clean Water fountains will last a long time with routine cleaning and maintenance. Leaves, twigs, and bugs very often find their way into fountains, so it is vital to keep yours free from such debris. Additionally, anywhere light from the sun comes in contact with still water, algae can appear. Stir hydrogen peroxide, sea salt, or vinegar into the water to avoid this particular dilemma. Another option is to stir bleach into the water, but this action can sicken wild animals and so should really be avoided. Every 3-4 months, garden fountains should have a decent cleaning. First you must drain the water. Then use a soft towel and mild cleanser to scrub the inside. If there are any small grooves, work with a toothbrush to get every spot. Be sure to completely rinse the inside of the fountain to make sure all the soap is gone.
It is highly suggested taking the pump apart to better clean the inside and remove any plankton or calcium. To make it less difficult, soak it in vinegar for a while before cleaning. Build-up can be a big hassle, so use mineral or rain water over tap water, when possible, to eliminate this dilemma.
Finally, be sure to have a quick look at your fountain daily and add water if you notice that the level is low. Allowing the water to drop below the pump’s intake level, can cause major damage and even make the pump burn out - an undesired outcome!