Norias of Hama, Ancient water wheels in Hama, Syria
The Norias of Hama comprise seventeen wooden water wheels along the Orontes River, measuring between 7 and 21 meters in diameter.
The first documented evidence of water wheels in Hama dates to 469 AD, depicted in a mosaic discovered at nearby Apamea archaeological site.
These hydraulic structures influenced water management systems across the Middle East and reached as far as the Iberian Peninsula during Islamic rule.
The largest wheel, Al-Muhammadiyya, built in 1361, could raise 200,000 liters of water per hour through its wooden compartments and stone aqueducts.
Each noria requires maintenance every fifteen years, with local craftsmen replacing specific wooden components to maintain the wheel's functionality.
Location: Hama
GPS coordinates: 35.13528,36.75306
Latest update: May 27, 2025 10:07
The ancient structures transported water across valleys and plains using gravity. Built by Roman and Ottoman engineers, these aqueducts stand up to 50 meters tall, crossing valleys on multiple levels of stone arches. The structures supplied cities with fresh water from distant springs and rivers.
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