How fountains enhance urban landscapes and uplift residents’ moods...
Fountains: a Part of Nature in the Urban Bustle
Both scientists and philosophers have long since stopped disputing and only marvel at the remarkable influence of the water element on people. The former are struck by its healing properties, the latter by its aesthetic and psychological effects. The calm surface of a lake, the unrestrained waves of the sea, a playful waterfall — admiring them brings equal pleasure and instills unique feelings in the soul. Perhaps this is why people want to surround themselves with as many objects as possible that are in one way or another connected to the water element.Fountains, without doubt, can be considered one of mankind's most wonderful inventions. The most beautiful structures not only please the eye but also provide purely physical enjoyment. For example, in the heat or a hot spell in the city it is hard to find a more pleasant place for a weary traveler. And in the past fountains were the privilege of the noble, and therefore wealthy, people: they decorated palaces and parks. This was because their construction required certain skills and knowledge held by very few, and took a very long time.
The role of fountains in the modern city is hard to overestimate. They are a natural source of freshness and coolness, attracting not only romantically inclined couples but also business partners seeking silence and a calm atmosphere. It is no coincidence that in the summer heat the largest gatherings are observed precisely near fountains and fountain complexes. People are drawn to such places not only by the truly unique microclimate but also by the external beauty that outshines everything around. Entrepreneurs have also appreciated the value of fountain structures. As a rule, cafés are set up nearby, where the flow of visitors never stops. What surrounds the fountain becomes, as it were, a separate paradise where there is no place for fuss and problems. And in megacities they have gone even further: light-and-music fountains are installed there. Whole water shows and discos are organized with their help.
Lately fountains have been decorating not only outdoor squares and parks but also private cottages and estates. An interior complemented by the water element is unbeatable. The beauty and soul that an artist pours into his creation bring their own color to the surrounding environment. And this is in addition to the purely practical benefits for the body: increased air humidity raises the number of ions. That is why you feel a special lightness and comfort near a fountain.
It is not for nothing that ancient philosophers considered water the basis of the universe and elevated it to the rank of one of the four main elements on which life on Earth rests. Fountains, as children of this element, are intended to adorn, soothe, and make our modern life more comfortable.