The outdoor waterfall fountain has always been representative of luxury and success. Some of the most breathtaking sights in the world involve a fountain of some sort. Consider five of the most popular outdoor waterfall fountains in the world and what you can expect when you see them in person.

1. The Trevi Fountain in Rome, Italy
This fountain was immortalized in the classic film “La Dolce Vita.” This Vergine aqueduct was built by Agrippa in the year 19 B.C. Centuries later the fountain still stands. It is found on a small piazza about where the Spanish Steps are located. The sculptures around the fountain were created much later, about the middle 18th century by an artist named Nicola Salvi.

2. Versailles Park and Fountains in Versailles, France
This outdoor water feature is found in the garden of the Versailles Palace. There are many hedges and flowers in the garden area. This location is also well known for its entertainment; in warmer seasons classical music is played. It is estimated that this fountain is powered by 1,333 gallons of water!

3. Jet d’Eau in Geneva, Switzerland
Like other outdoor water features, this attraction has become an international landmark. This fountain towers over Geneva at 459 feet. It pushes over 130 gallons of water a second. The feature was first created in the year 1886. A company working at the end of the lake pumped water from the lake on a regular basis. However, when the need for water decreased a hole in the pumping system led to the creation of this fountain. Four years later, it was made into an official landmark of the country.

4. Fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA
What would Las Vegas be without an outdoor waterfall fountain? This fountain is a show onto itself thanks to its lighting effects and music. In order to power this production Vegas uses 1,200 nozzles, 4,500 lights and up to $40 million dollars. The light display is so complex it actually “dances” in the style of past Vegas entertainers. You can catch this outdoor water feature every half hour from the evening until the midnight hour.

5. Peterhof Palace in St. Petersburg, Russia
These fountains are right outside Peterhof. They are called the Grand Cascade and the Samson fountains and are part of the Russian Versailles area. These fountains were originally created during the administration of Peter the Great. This fountain has a two story high grotto along with pools and jets of water that soak happy tourists.

Some of the most beautiful locations in the world are outdoor waterfall fountains! Now you know a few of the most notable names.

The water fountain has long been a part of daily life. These features date back through the ages all the way to the ancient Greeks, who constructed their fountains above springs that they believed to hold magical properties. Many of these earliest fountains were designed in the image of gods and goddesses of the time. This design principle was carried forward by the Romans as well, and many of their ancient fountains also depicted the deities of the time.

During the renaissance, the design of water fountains changed remarkably. With the renewed interest in art, literature, and sculpture came a period when art was designed to imitate life more thoroughly. Many of the fountains created during this time period, such as the many fountains found throughout Italy and the rest of Europe, depict highly detailed scenes from life as well as richly detailed scenes from literature and folklore. There are numerous fountains throughout Europe from this period that depict gods, goddesses, mythological creatures, and even average people. Many of these fountains are to this very day among the most famed and adored in the world.

Starting in the 1800’s, water fountain design in the United States began. For a period, a majority of the fountains built in the US were derivative of the designs created in Europe. It would not be until the 1900’s that the United States would branch off, creating not only a unique form of fountain design, but a unique world of art as a whole. While classical and antique fountain styles are still popular, the US has a large market for abstract and modern water fountains as well.

Today the water fountain takes many forms. In the United States alone, fountains ranging from Asian themes such as Zen fountains to abstract fountains created from simplistic materials and unique shapes can be easily found. The concept of art and beauty has grown considerably over the last century, and the fountain is now as much a place to display artistic tastes as it was once a place to celebrate the sculpture of centuries long past.

Water fountains will always be a part of culture and art. While these fountains were once used for practical purposes, such as watering plants or animals as well as magical healing purposes, they are often used today simply for their beauty. The history of the fountain is certainly a rich one, and a growing appreciation for art and beauty ensures that this history will continue to grow for many years to come.

Rome, Italy has long been cherished by people from across the world for its remarkable art and sculpture. Rome is also home to numerous famed outdoor fountains. From fountains built by famed artists and sculptors to those built by cardinals and others, this city certainly holds numerous fountains that deserve a place near other masterpieces in the world of art.

One of the most famous outdoor water fountains in the world is the Trevi Fountain. This fountain is situated in the Piazza di Trevi and is the home of a world famous legend that states that tossing a coin over your shoulder into the water guarantees that you will one day return to Rome. The fountain was completed in 1762 and features seahorses, a chariot, horses, tritons, and other remarkable features.

The Porter Fountain is a sculpture of a man carrying a barrel. The fountain has long been one of the most talked about in Rome, despite being rather diminutive in size compared to most of the city’s fountains. For many years, political satirists attached their satire to the fountain in the forms of poems and jokes, which helped the fountain to become known as one of Rome’s talking fountains.

Two famed Roman fountains that warrant mentioning together are the fountains of St. Peter’s Square, or San Pietro, in Vatican City. The square itself was designed by Bernini, a famed sculptor as an approach to the church where St. Peter was buried. The fountain to the north of the square was built by Carlo Maderno in 1613, while the southern fountain was built by Bernini in 1675. The fountains are designed to match one another and are considered to be the focal points of the square.

Bernini also sculpted three other famous fountains in Rome. The Fountain of the Triton features a large Triton, the god of the sea, as well as two dragons, dolphins, children, and more. The Fountain of the Bees, built in 1644, features a bi-valve shell with three bees resting on it. This fountain was originally intended as a watering area for horses. The last of the outdoor fountain trio is the fountain of the Old Boat, which is found below the Spanish Steps. The design of this fountain is a half-sunken shop with water overflowing from it.

These are but a few of the famous outdoor water fountains of Rome. This majestic city has much to offer in the way of tremendously detailed fountains. One of the most splendid things about each of the fountains, however, is that each has a unique and interesting tale to tell.

One of the many things that makes Kansas City such a unique location is the fact that the city is home to a number of beautiful outdoor water fountain displays. These fountains range in size, design, and detail, but each contributes to the city’s reputation as the city of fountains. In the next few paragraphs we will explore a few of the more unique fountains found in the area.

The first fountain that many people hear of in Kansas City is the Crown Center Square fountain. This remarkable outdoor fountain was designed in the late 1960’s as part of an urban renewal project by the founders of the Hallmark Company. The fountain was built in an area with many vacant lots and closed businesses, and offers 48 jets and 48 water shooters. The fountain recycles water at a remarkable 2,200 gallons per minute and employs a 37,500 gallon reservoir underground, meaning that there is no visible basin or plumbing.

The Vietnam Veterans Fountain was dedicated in 1987. This outdoor water fountain was created to memorialize local Vietnam veterans who gave their lives for our country. The fountain features multiple interconnected pools that represent the US investment into the war as well as two pools at the end that represent the split opinions of Americans over the war. The symbolism is striking, and the fountain itself is beautiful, offering remarkable underwater lights at night.

The Children’s Fountain was built in 1995 and is one of the largest in the city. It features six children on pedestals, with each higher than the next. All of the children are suspended over a large basin of water with 12 sprays. The children are all modeled after local children and include a girl with pigtails in the water, followed by a boy on his hands, a boy playing soccer, a ballerina, a boy with crutches, and a frolicking girl.

These outdoor fountains are certainly unique and bring a lot of visitors to the city from all over the world. Kansas City is often known as the city of fountains, and there are certainly many remarkable and impressive fountains to visit. From those mentioned here to such choices as the Volker memorial fountain and the Sea Horse fountain, exploring the fountains of Kansas City promises much entertainment. The outdoor water fountain can be a source of art, inspiration, and so much more, and Kansas City has made a tremendous effort to display some of the best examples of this that our nation has to offer.