Ancient Rome is very well known for its baths. It is important to know that the great aqueducts we just spoke of actually fed the baths as well as the fountains located in Rome. There were very limited private baths, these actually created a great deal of revenue for the city, but most people were far too poor and simply used the water located in the public fountains. What is quite fascinating is the poorer class of people in Italy actually still use these outdoor fountains. What we can surmise from this is that the fountains themselves had to be quite large in order for so many people to use them and in great abudance. From writings, we know today that the fountains themselves were not just fountains but rather architectural features admired by many. Many of the water features housed very large garden statues and bas-relief.
A common feature in many homes, water fountains were located in subruban Rome villages as well as country houses. The set up of these private water features usually meant that water actually fell from a jet located high on a wall and into a basin, often made of marble. Sometimes, if a family had a bit mor emoney, there were be a second basin. Most private fountains were actually very elaborate in their decoration. Public fountains, when they were first created, were much more simple and just created a purpose for the public to bath and drink from them. The private water elements often had bronze of marble figurines were great tile work. Animals and statues were often on public fountains.
Italians came to love fountains as they were a common piece of the puzzle for their ancestors. Italy has the most fountains out of any other country in the world. These range from the modern types to medieval. There are many memories and historical significanes to the fountains that are located in Italy. Many travelers plan their entire trip around the fountains of Italy.