Grande Waterwheel

The Grande waterwheel in Abarán is famous for being the largest one in operation in Europe. It is also known as one of the oldest, as it was built in 1805 and rebuilt in 1951. The waterwheel, which sits on the left bank of the Segura river, used to be vital in the irrigation system of Abarán, as it supplied water to the main irrigated ditch (Blanca) through a 7-kilometer water-distribution network including ditches and channels.

A glass bottle placed between the walls of the waterwheel contains the names of all those who participated in its construction.

 

Name of the waterwheel: Noria Grande de Abarán

Date of last reconstruction: 1951

Irrigation tahullas (1 tahulla = 1118 square meters): 155

Type of crops: Citrus fruits, stone fruits and vegetables

Name of irrigation ditch supplying the waterwheel: Principal-Blanca

Areas irrigated: Azud, Salitre, Secanos, Laza, Alcantarilla, Bajo Solana, Barranco and Camino Molina, Pinar and Carráhila

Waterwheel diameter: 11.92 meters

Waterwheel width: 1.18 meters

Number of spokes: 16 x 2

Number of flat-profile blades: 64

Number of buckets: 64 x 128

Location: Both crowns

Construction materials: Wood, with the shaft and plates made of "sweet" iron

Historical background: Document dated 1805