Noria of Alcantarilla, Ancient water wheel monument in Alcantarilla, Spain.
The Noria of Alcantarilla is a large water wheel that lifts water from the Segura River to irrigate the surrounding farmland. The wheel was part of a sophisticated system that farmers developed to move water where it was needed for their crops.
The water wheel developed during a period when the region was expanding agriculture and seeking new ways to manage water resources. Over many centuries, this system was refined and remained central to the local economy and farming practices.
The water wheel reflects how local farmers managed water resources and shaped agricultural life in this region for centuries. The adjacent museum documents how people lived and worked with these irrigation methods daily.
The monument sits directly by the river and is easy to reach on foot while exploring the town. It is best visited in the morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and get better light for photographs.
The wheel was operated entirely by human power in earlier times and required many workers to turn it and pump the water. This kind of labor reveals how physically demanding farming was in this region for centuries.
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