Fountains are an essential element to Rome’s built atmosphere. In fact, Rome itself is home to at least 2,000 fountains of its own. That is more than any other city in the world. Defined, a fountain is any architectural structure that pours or spouts water into some sort of basin with the purpose of attractive display or for drinking. Historically, fountains were often used in the practical sense because they connected to springs or aqueducts and were used to provide drinking water and water for bathing and washing to the residents of cities, towns and villages. It wasn’t until the 19th century when fountains would rely on something other than gravity (a water source like an aqueduct) to spew the water from the fountain.
Although fountains are generally associated with the Romans, the Greeks were, in fact, the original founders of aqueducts, the main water source to fountains. Aqueducts were constructed to bring water into a city from the springs of mountains. As with many architectural achievements, the Romans followed after and copied the ideas of the Greeks. As early as the 7th century BC, Greece was using aqueducts to supply its cities with adequate drinking water. Thus, fountains were originally intended for useful purposes, before the idea of building fountains for beauty or pleasure was conceived. Greek fountains were often constructed out of stone or marble and the pipes were made of bronze. Rome's construction of aqueducts and fountains followed shortly.
The Roman aqueducts stretched over 60 miles and were constructed both above ground and below ground. There are three aqueducts in Rome that run above ground: Porta Maggiore, the Arch of Drusus, and Nero’s Aqueduct. They were built on a slant to allow gravity to pull the water toward Rome. The Romans dug tunnels that were ten to twenty feet below ground in order to not interfere with things like farms or traffic. They also built tunnels under ground so their enemies would not know where their water source was. Also, due to the fact that the tunnels were constructed below ground, they were protected from earthquakes and other types of weather. As the water flowed from the mountains into Rome it was stored in cisterns, or large water towers. Fountains were then built throughout the city of Rome and the water was supplied to these fountains.
Fountains were also used as decoration and to display the works of a builder or artist. Each fountain represents something in the way it’s built: from the materials used, to the symbolism in the decoration, to the time period in which it was built. For instance, the Baroque decorative fountains of Rome in the 17th and 18th centuries signified the era of restored Roman aqueducts and glorified the Popes who built them. The Baroque style fountains are filled with multiple sculptures and are truly the main attraction of the fountain. These fountains show sentiment and movement through these sculptures and the water is used to enhance these fountains rather than be the main attraction. Some examples of Baroque fountains include the fountains in Piazza Navona, the fountain in St. Peter’s Square by Carlo Maderno, the Trevi Fountain, and the Triton Fountain in Piazza Barberini. The earliest of the Baroque fountains was that of Carlo Maderno which was done in 1614. Maderno created this fountain to match the Baroque style architecture of St. Peter's Basilica.
The 15th to 17th centuries was the period of Renaissance fountains. These fountains were made of marble and displayed statues of animals and mythological creatures. They included waterfalls and other such places from which water would shoot. One of the first Renaissance fountains was built in 1472 in the piazza surrounding the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere. Other Renaissance fountains include those of Villa d’Este in Tivoli, Fontana dell’Acqua Felice (also known as the Fountain of Moses), and the Fountain of Neptune (located in Florence).
At the end of the 19th century, indoor plumbing had become popular and the need for other water sources became obsolete. Thus, the sole intent of fountains was to be decorative. This is when the use of gravity was abandoned and the idea of mechanical pumps for the water had been introduced. They work by recycling the same water used from the basin to push the water through the fountain. The highest spewing fountain in the world is King Fahd's Fountain located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which spouts water 850 feet above the Red Sea.
Today, the purpose of fountains remains similar to that of the 19th century. Fountains are used to decorate parks and piazzas. They are built to celebrate events and people. Some examples of fountains we see today include splash pads or spray pools (allowing citizens to walk through and cool off with water on a hot day), musical fountains (providing light shows by syncing together music, lights, and moving water), and drinking fountains (providing clean, safe drinking water in public areas). However, many of the fountains found in Rome still have meanings and history attached to them.
In conclusion, fountains are an essential part of Roman culture. They create a sense of beauty as well as liveliness. While thousands of years old, the fountain has been and continues to be a memorable landmark of Rome. Whether built for convenience, pleasure, or symbolism, fountains throughout Rome are treasured and maintained today. The timeless infatuation with fountains will continue for years to come.
Although fountains are generally associated with the Romans, the Greeks were, in fact, the original founders of aqueducts, the main water source to fountains. Aqueducts were constructed to bring water into a city from the springs of mountains. As with many architectural achievements, the Romans followed after and copied the ideas of the Greeks. As early as the 7th century BC, Greece was using aqueducts to supply its cities with adequate drinking water. Thus, fountains were originally intended for useful purposes, before the idea of building fountains for beauty or pleasure was conceived. Greek fountains were often constructed out of stone or marble and the pipes were made of bronze. Rome's construction of aqueducts and fountains followed shortly.
The Roman aqueducts stretched over 60 miles and were constructed both above ground and below ground. There are three aqueducts in Rome that run above ground: Porta Maggiore, the Arch of Drusus, and Nero’s Aqueduct. They were built on a slant to allow gravity to pull the water toward Rome. The Romans dug tunnels that were ten to twenty feet below ground in order to not interfere with things like farms or traffic. They also built tunnels under ground so their enemies would not know where their water source was. Also, due to the fact that the tunnels were constructed below ground, they were protected from earthquakes and other types of weather. As the water flowed from the mountains into Rome it was stored in cisterns, or large water towers. Fountains were then built throughout the city of Rome and the water was supplied to these fountains.
Fountains were also used as decoration and to display the works of a builder or artist. Each fountain represents something in the way it’s built: from the materials used, to the symbolism in the decoration, to the time period in which it was built. For instance, the Baroque decorative fountains of Rome in the 17th and 18th centuries signified the era of restored Roman aqueducts and glorified the Popes who built them. The Baroque style fountains are filled with multiple sculptures and are truly the main attraction of the fountain. These fountains show sentiment and movement through these sculptures and the water is used to enhance these fountains rather than be the main attraction. Some examples of Baroque fountains include the fountains in Piazza Navona, the fountain in St. Peter’s Square by Carlo Maderno, the Trevi Fountain, and the Triton Fountain in Piazza Barberini. The earliest of the Baroque fountains was that of Carlo Maderno which was done in 1614. Maderno created this fountain to match the Baroque style architecture of St. Peter's Basilica.
The 15th to 17th centuries was the period of Renaissance fountains. These fountains were made of marble and displayed statues of animals and mythological creatures. They included waterfalls and other such places from which water would shoot. One of the first Renaissance fountains was built in 1472 in the piazza surrounding the church of Santa Maria in Trastevere. Other Renaissance fountains include those of Villa d’Este in Tivoli, Fontana dell’Acqua Felice (also known as the Fountain of Moses), and the Fountain of Neptune (located in Florence).
At the end of the 19th century, indoor plumbing had become popular and the need for other water sources became obsolete. Thus, the sole intent of fountains was to be decorative. This is when the use of gravity was abandoned and the idea of mechanical pumps for the water had been introduced. They work by recycling the same water used from the basin to push the water through the fountain. The highest spewing fountain in the world is King Fahd's Fountain located in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, which spouts water 850 feet above the Red Sea.
Today, the purpose of fountains remains similar to that of the 19th century. Fountains are used to decorate parks and piazzas. They are built to celebrate events and people. Some examples of fountains we see today include splash pads or spray pools (allowing citizens to walk through and cool off with water on a hot day), musical fountains (providing light shows by syncing together music, lights, and moving water), and drinking fountains (providing clean, safe drinking water in public areas). However, many of the fountains found in Rome still have meanings and history attached to them.
In conclusion, fountains are an essential part of Roman culture. They create a sense of beauty as well as liveliness. While thousands of years old, the fountain has been and continues to be a memorable landmark of Rome. Whether built for convenience, pleasure, or symbolism, fountains throughout Rome are treasured and maintained today. The timeless infatuation with fountains will continue for years to come.