Restoration of al-Jaabariyya waterwheel in Hama
Hama is an old city along the Orontes , which is often called “ the city of waterwheels” due to the numerous old water wheels which are a very characteristic sight there.
The Norias of the city Hama are a collection of historic waterwheels so lovely and elaborate that they make classical western waterwheels look weak in comparison.
Built on the banks of the Orontes River, the norias ( wheels of pots) became a symbol of the city of Hama and are part of an ancient irrigation system. They were built to carry water into the city and were expanded on and enhanced over several centuries.
Evidence of these ornate water wheels dates back as far as the 5th century CE, even after they fell out of general use with the advent of modern irrigation systems, the norias were left intact, aging into beautiful historic icons of the city’s agrarian past.
The water wheels are unique both in their size and age . on average , the Hama waterwheels’ diameter reaches up to 70 feet. These large wooden wheels were called “ the most splendid norias ever constructed”.
At one point, there were more than 30 norias in Hama. Unfortunately , only 17 of the original ancient hydraulic structures remain as a major tourist attraction, each of these magnificently engineered wheels has its own name.
The largest and most famous noria on the Orontes is known as al-Mohammadiya Noria. It is considered to be one of the largest water wheels ever constructed.
The wheels were powered by the current of the flowing river. Through the force of gravity , wooden buckets on the wheels picked up water from the river and emptied it into a series of aqueducts that distributed the water to various areas.
The water wheels are divided into two categories according into their function : the rural water wheels , which are intended for irrigating fields and urban water wheels for irrigation of urban plantations and drinking.
Within the framework of Syria’s project to protect its architectural heritage , the restoration of norias in Hama workshops of Norias Department in Hama city council completed the restoration works of al-Jaabariyya, with a cost of SYP four millions.
Al-Jaabariyya noria was constructed on the Orontes River at Jisr al-Kilaniyya site of al-Tawafera neighborhood in the city of Hama..
Head of Norias Department in Hama City Council, Ahead Sabaa Al-Arab, told SANA that maintenance work included replacing the damaged parts of the noria, due to weather conditions, including the axle , the entire wreath of the noria in addition to some external and internal circles , which are made of various kinds of wood including Oaks, walnuts, pine and eucalyptus.
Rawaa Ghanam