Water leaping in jewelled droplets into space and cascading down in lustrous waves – that is a fountain. Moorish garden designers used fountains to create miniature replica of the garden of Paradise.
Originally, fountains were connected to springs or aqueducts. They were providing drinking water. They were also used for bathing and washing in every town and village. With indoor plumbing, fountains became purely decorative. The Fountain of Trevi attracted people to make a wish by throwing a coin into the water. Over 3000 Euro coins are thrown over one’s shoulder into the fountain every year. The belief is that one will return to Rome if one does so.
The dancing fountain at Sentosa in Singapore, provides a wonderful experience of musical fountains synchronized to music; it is a treat for eyes and ears. A spray pool off the fountain welcomes tourists to cool off. Drinking fountains today, provide clean drinking water in offices and public places.
In 2000 BC ago, the ancient Sumerian city of Lagash, which is now in Iraq, had carved stone basins to hold water and create fountains. Egypt which had no higher source of water had no fountains. The ancient Greeks were first to use fountains powered by gravity to distribute water. Water flowed by gravity into aqueducts. Fountains were used to distribute water. The main fountain in Athens in the 6th century BC, had nine large spouts, called cannons, to distribute drinking water.
The Trevi Fountain in Rome, rising out of a bed of beautiful marble Baroque art rises like a jewel of water, before historic palaces. It is a symbolic representation of water as a force of Nature. Lead by Triton on a seashell chariot drawn by sea horses rising from an enormous representation of Oceanus. In ancient times, this water was used for thermal baths. It is the work of Bernini and Roman architect Nicola Salvi.
Please look at the world’s most beautiful fountains. The biggest which takes off from a bridge is the Moonlight Rainbow fountain, measuring37450ft is in Seoul, South Korea, where Rotary will hold its next convention in May 2016. The Swarovski Fountain that emerges from the mouth of a glass covered head in front of Crystal Works in a delightful surprise. The Bellagio Fountain, Las Vegas, with its geometric shapes and lightning is an awesome sight. They are huge fountains located on manmade Lake in front of Bellagio hotel. Sound and light synchronizes to the dancing fountains making it a work of modern art.
The fountain of Montjuic, Barcelona, Spain is a dancing fountain offset by cascading waterfalls. Over 50 shades of colour shimmer through the fountains. The fountain of wealth in Singapore soars into a circular sculpture reaching up to the sky. It is the world’s largest fountain.
Joute Fountain at Montreal, created by artist Jean Paul Riopelle, is a dynamic, kinetic work, surrounded by works of art. It is embraced by a pool that ignites a dancing ring of flames, flashing at regular intervals for seven minutes at a time. The Samson Fountain of Peterhof Palace at Saint Petersburg, Russia or the Russian Versailles, frolics splendidly amidst a series of Palaces and garden, created by Peter the Great, Tzar of Russaia
If fountains don’t make you fall in love with water, nothing else will.
What can you do :
A drinking fountain, also called a water fountain or a bubbler, is a fountain designed to provide drinking water. Water is drunk directly from the stream. The design should prevent contamination by pathogens and bacteria. Watch out for lead in old buildings. Young kids must be taught to use them correctly to avoid infection. Visit and enjoy great fountains. Help reduce litter at these historic sites.