For the Bibliophiles - Book Shaped Fountains
A collection of book shaped fountains from around the World.
Only those fountains in which the water flows over the books or erupts from the
book are included.
Currently following fountains (listed in random order) are
covered and more will be added as and when found;
- Public Library, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
- Gulhane Park, Istanbul, Turkey
- Egyetem Square, Budapest, Hungary
- Clifton M. Brakensiek Library, Bellflower, CA, USA
- Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library, Chattanooga, USA
- Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
- Unknown Hostel of Xiamen University, China
This fountain the shape of stack of books is officially called "Amelia Valerio Weinberg Memorial Fountain". Designed by Cincinnati sculptor Michael Frasca it was dedicated in 1990 and features water cascading over a stack of ceramic tile books, representing the free flow of information and ideas through the printed word. (source: cincinnatilibrary.org)
Image from Flickr is by OZinOH
View location in Google Maps and Street View
2. Gulhane Park, Istanbul
An unusual fountain in the shape of an open book, located in Gulhane Park,
adjacent to the grounds of the Topkapı Palace, Istanbul.
Every few seconds a sheet of water gushes out from the book’s
spine moving from one side to the other and creating and illusion of turning of
page;
Engraved on the it's open pages are the welcome words in Turkish and English.
The English text reads;
'Welcome in the flower and rose garden "Gulhane" an outer garden of Topkapi Palace for centuries.'
An almost identical fountain, without the text, is in
Budapest. It is not known which one was the original and which one is replica.
Edit Note - August 3, 2016: tek , Administrator of Google Earth Community Forums was kind enough to visit the park and found that this fountain was constructed about 2 years back. As the Budapest fountain was built in 2012 that fountain is the original.
Edit Note - August 3, 2016: tek , Administrator of Google Earth Community Forums was kind enough to visit the park and found that this fountain was constructed about 2 years back. As the Budapest fountain was built in 2012 that fountain is the original.
Image from Flickr is by R Flores
Image from Panoramio is by Filippo Mazzoccu
View location in Google Maps.
3. Egyetem Square, Budapest, Hungary
This book shaped fountain is located in
Egyetem Square in front of the Eötvös
Loránd University of Sciences. It was set up in 2012 and is almost identical to
the open book fountain in Gulhane Park in Istanbul. It is not known if this is
original or the one in Istanbul is original.
Edit Note - August 3, 2016: tek , Administrator of Google Earth Community Forums was kind enough to visit the Istanbul park and found that, that fountain was constructed about 2 years back. As this fountain was built in 2012 it is the original.
Image from Flickr is by skittledog
A closed book sculpture is also placed near the fountain.
Image from Panoramio is by hygygy (Thank you hhgygy for specially sharing this picture for this collection)
Following YouTube shows the page turning illusion of the fountain;
View location in Google Maps Street View
4. Clifton M. Brakensiek Library, Bellflower, CA
Image Source: Google Street View (Credits for finding the location is to Krenek. Thank you Krenek.)
A clearer view of this book fountain can be seen in this Flickr image. Unfortunately the photographer has made the image download protected and it cannot be used.
Adjacent to the fountain are some more books and a bitten apple.
Image from Flickr is by Tyrone Beabraut
The text on the book reads;
View location in Google Street ViewEvery garden has a Secret where magical things happen. Sprites dance there, the bells on their hats ring. If you're quiet and listen, you may be able to hear them. Let your imagination soar.Your adventure in the Enchanted Garden begins.
Chattanooga-Hamilton County Bicentennial Library, Chattanooga
Image from Flickr is by Duane Tate
View location in Google Maps and Street View
Xiamen University, Xiamen, China
This fountain is located at the west entrance to the University. Not sure whether it can be categorised as Book Fountain as it seems to be at the edge of the pool. However giving it a benefit of doubt, it is being included in this collection.
Image from Panoramio is by 谢忠夫
View location in Google Maps
Somewhere in Xiamen, China
Image from Flickr is by suprules
Exact location of this fountain in couldn't be ascertained. It is located near some hostel of Xiamen University. Any suggestion about its location are welcome.
View location of all the Book Fountains in Google Earth.
1 comments:
Great article. Thanks for sharing.
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