Abu Qubeis.. A Paradise for Tourists

HAMA, (ST)  –  Evidences of history and its archaeological data say that more than forty watermills were pumping the elixir of life in Abu Qubeis River, the paradise of earth as it is called by many people due to the natural creative harmony that combines between sycamore and arbutus trees and the freshwater streams flowing from every corner and angle.

 In this valley, the culture of water mills originated since ancient times and their vestiges have remained a living witness that prints in the memory of visitors and tourists images of civilizations flourished and changed, generation after generation. Among those mills that are still survivor from the clutches of time is the spring watermill. It is located at the top of the head of Abu Qubeis spring between high mountains of white Caristi edges.

Head of Abu Qubeis town Council, Mohammad Ali Abdullah, indicates that the town’s location at the most plentiful point of the spring made it the most active mill in the region for hundreds of years and a reliable source for people, who inhabited the valley since ancient times until late last century to ensure flour.

Mr. Abdullah pointed out that the mill was a vital center attracting all inhabitants of the region starting from Al Ghab Plain till Mesyaf area to the early eighties of the last century where it stopped working after the abundance of flour by automatic mills. He added that the course of water was providing an energy that makes the mill working permanently in summer and winter.

Abu Qubeis mill is considered a cultural and archaeological symbol added to the landmarks of the village including archaeological castles and churches. The village is located in archaeological site dates back to the period of the old Roman era. Many researchers say, most likely, that this mill has remained, since that time, a source for providing benefits to people. Holding the works of renovation and restoration over hundreds of years helped the mill to stay working.

The major and minor parts of the mill are still in survival including the milestone, lanes and basins. The parts are still in their first form as they were designed.

Mohammed Saleh, a citizen of the town, explains that the mill consists of two basaltic milestones one meter diameter per one. The two milestones are linked by a vertical axis with iron blades and falling water moves the blades then rotate the millstone. The mill is fed by two storehouses full of wheat and barley. The grains are poured out within a hole in the millstone. Then water is pumped to the mill from the spring immediately across two lanes with a length of 15 meters. The task of the two lanes is to draw water directly from the top of the spring water to form a waterfall that helps in increasing pressure to rotate the mill wheel and the millstone.

Despite of its important archaeological value, the mill is suffering from neglect where large grown trees and wild herbs around hide it completely from the eyes of tourists that led to the absence of this mill on the tourist map of Abu Qubeis village.

  The presence of a watermill in the heart of the town of Abu Qubeis is an important factor to increase the number of tourists. Mahase Saleh, a citizen fof the town, calls Hama Directorate of Antiquities calling to clean the outsides of the mill moving dust and rubbish, which hid its features and then map out studies to restore this archaeological site.

The people of the area asked the Department of Antiquities of Hama to do what is necessary for the benefit of this site, which includes many archaeological symbols. Director of Antiquities Burea, Abdelkqader Farzat, said that this region will be listed on the map of excavations in the governorate of Hama.

Sh. Kh.