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 Natural springs were an important source of water for early civilizations. The Greeks built reservoirs and drawing basins into these springs, creating an artificial fountain. Large columnar shrines dedicated to whatever local deity was considered the inhabitant of the spring were built over or near the fountain. Fountains, for the Greeks, were thus beautiful, useful, and religious sites. The Romans devised an elaborate water delivery system for their cities, of which fountains were an integral part. Large reservoirs were built near the cities to assure a stable water supply. Aqueducts carried the water from the reservoir to the city’s various fountains and baths for use by the people. Public fountains for use by the general population usually consisted of water flowing from the mouth of a carved animal or bust of a person or god. The water flowed into a basin where it was collected for use by the people of the city in urns or pots. Courtyard fountains for the aristocratic dwellings were quite ornate. Purely decorative fountains had been built by the Greeks, but the Romans developed this art form to a higher degree. Called nymphaea, these fountains became large pleasure houses for the Roman elite. Early Christians found solace in the fountain also. They were considered a symbol of purification, and were used in the atrium court of the basilica. Monasteries of both the Western Church and the Byzantine empire made extensive use of fountains on their grounds. Wells as a water source largely replaced the fountain during Middle Age Europe. It wasn’t until about the thirteenth century that fountains began to reappear on the continent. Table top fountains were the rage in the various royal courts, Byzantine versions sometimes using spiced wine instead of water. Large public fountains sometimes served as a catalyst for rebuilding the timeworn European cities, much as sports stadiums spur downtown renewal in modern cities. These fountains, sometimes built with papal support, became quite elaborate. Leading architects and artists, Like Leonardo Da Vinci, became involved in their design. Some of these fountains were constructed with elaborate mechanical devices which would perform some function to entertain visitors. The fountains built in 1549 at Villa d’Este, Tivoli France became a water organ which would play musical notes when certain stones were stepped on by guests. Other fountains included large reflecting pools, over which fireworks displays were set off , creating some very impressive displays. The palace at Versailles, France became the pinnacle of fountain construction. Copiously decorated with sculptural works, the multitude of fountain displays were supplied with water from a reservoir built about five hundred feet above the level of the Seine River. The reservoir was kept full by mechanical means from the river. The garden fountain is part of our history and still an important part of modern architecture. City downtowns, office buildings, parks, shopping malls are just some of the public places which employ fountains to add beauty to their facilities. |