The Early, Unappreciated Water-Moving System

In 1588, Agrippa’s water-lifting innovation captivated the notice and approval of Andrea Bacci but that turned out to be one of the last mentions of the mechanism. Merely years afterward, in 1592, the earliest modern Roman aqueduct, the Acqua Felice, was hooked up to the Medici’s villa, possibly making the device o

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The Early Society: Fountains

A variety of different kinds of conduits have been unveiled through archaeological excavations on the island of Crete, the birthplace of Minoan civilization. These provided water and removed it, including water from waste and deluges. They were commonly made from terracotta or stone. When terracotta was chosen, it was frequently for canals as well

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Traveling Just the Way You like

There appears to be a special tour for every destination! Is walking better for you or would you want a bicycle to get about? Maybe you’re a wine connoisseur or a foodie. Do you enjoy the company of other people when you take a trip, or would you prefer to go it alone? Is your perfect getaway one adventure after the other? Or, are

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Points of Interest of the Mediterranean

From viticulture and art to science and democracy, historians credit the establishment of modern civilization to the countries along the southern coast of Europe. The “Old World” is without a doubt a land rich in history. If you lay in the sun on the beaches of Spain and Italy, study the historical sights of Greece and

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Renaissance Water Fountains of Tuscany

Two broad types of Tuscan water fountains widely known in the fifteenth century were the freestanding or "isolated" type, designed for the middle of a piazza, court or garden; and the "engaged" or wall water feature, set onto a wall at the end of a square or plaza. The Florentine wall fountain was the primary example from this period and is the han

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