9th and 10th Century European Fountains
Gardens were divided into four main areas in the Swiss Abbey of St. Gall, along with the fountains. These consisted of areas for herbs, vegetables, fruits, and sweet-smelling flowers. The Ministry gardens featured cloistered paths with wells at their hearts, probably inspired form the Persian Gardens. This allowed for a calm and serene area for meditation. During the Italian Renaissance, castles became the palaces and villas of the culture, featuring extensive landscaping in the ancient Roman tradition. This included rows of tall cypress and cyew hedges, geometrically shaped flower beds, statuary, garden fountains, and sculpture to complete the look. This style can be seen in the Medici Gardens and the La Pietra villas in Florence. Increasingly formal and complex gardens grew in the 16th century, examples being the Villa Lante in Bagnaia and the Villa Farnese in Caprarola. Also the Villa Madama and Villa Medici in Rome and the Villa d’Este in Tivoli. The 17th Century brought even more accomplished gardens, adding the dramatic and appealing Baroque style. These featured more linear and curved elements, statuary in violent and aggressive poses, as well as emphasizing spouts in fountains and waterfalls. The Villa Alsobrandini in Frascati is a stunning example. Try a garden wall fountain for your setting to bring some ancient style into your outside space!
Contemporary Garden Fountains
Modern landscaping using the practice of trying to match the house to the surroundings. Plot sizes seem to get smaller and smaller, so the use of a garden, with a water feature, is an excellent way to stop the urban creep! A fountain or a water feature can add serenity and personalize even the smallest of spaces.