The Alhambra Granada Spain Water Technology and its Importance
Alhambra Granada Spain Water Technology:
The Ingenious Water Supply-System of Mohammed 1
Water Wealth
Abundant Sierra Nevada snows, of Granada in Andalucia, signified the richest commodity of...
...the al-Andalus in Moorish Spain.
The natural Sabika hill plateau was ideal for the defense strategy - of future Islamic palatine city, midst the ever-growing threat of advancing Christian forces.
However...it lacked one element: "water."
History of the Iberian Peninsula (non) Moorish Water Technology
Aqueducts, public baths and sewerage systems had been introduced to the Iberian Peninsula, by the Hispano Romans.
The Answer
Emir Mohammed 1, instructed for an ingenious Moorish Hydrology Technology water system, be built, to create the necessary water supplies needed for the Alhambra's survival.
- In 1238 AD, a six-kilometre acequia: water chanel was constructed - the acequia real: the royal canal
- Water was taken at the point of the Toma de la Acequia: the capture point of the canal
- Water traversed countryside till it reached an old waterwheel, which created the dynamic-power to convey the water, across the aqueduct, at Cortijo Jesus del Valle, in the Darro valley
- From there, water travelled on the flats of the Llano del Perdiz, parallel to the Darro River
- Later, the acequia real was spread out, in order to supply water to the Generalife
and the high fields of the Generalife
- The water path purposely forked, in order for water to descend through the emblematic Escalera de Agua: Water Staircase further down, it reunited, with the Generalife's lower flow
- The water paths continued and descended...
Water was entered into the Alhambra, crossing over to the Torre de Agua aqueduct (above the Camino de los Chinos).
From this point on - the Alhambra, its vast cisterns and the original Alcazaba were supplied with the precious liquid. Moorish Hydrology Technology had been successful
Much Higher Up
- A vast albercon: large pool was constructed on the highest slope
- The water then was entered inside the hill by means of a horizontally-pierced underground passage
- Three wells were positioned above the underground water-path, each well, at different heights
- Finally, the underground passage reached the level of the vast albercon
- At that point, the water was lifted, by means of another waterwheel and deposited inside the albercon.
Plaza de los Aljibes - Plaza of the Cisterns: enormous underground water tanks.
The Moors tunnelled directly, inside and underneath the Sabika hill rock-formation. Crystal clean water was essential, this storage method preserved the water in its pure state.
(Rock hollows were a favoured "storage" modus operandi. The Arabs employed this technique, similarly, for cereal crop storage.) Also see: What is the Mediterranean Diet?
- At an even later date, the aljibe de la lluvia was built, capturing rain water supplying water to the Dar al-arusa and Alixares palaces which were built on higher levels
The Sophisticated Interior Alhambra Granada Spain Water Technology
- Interior Water conduits varied
- Some were narrow - accelerating the flow
- Curved conduits led into containing hollows - slowing the water passage
Burbling and spilling from the low marble basins, splashing in delight in interior patios or in the halls such as The Hall of Two Sisters.
The reflection pools: Patio de los Arrayanes and the Partal pool - were mirrors for the exterior architecture.
Water flows constantly throughout the Alhambra.
The reflecting pools appear smooth and unrippled because of the meticulous hydraulic preparation.
The Alhambra water systems were designed to cool in summer and warm in the winter.
Water supply systems of the Alhambra Granada Spain Water Technology have changed many times.
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Resources
http://irving.classicauthors.net/AlhambraThe/AlhambraThe5.html Irving Washington Classical Authors
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"La Alhambra y Granada de Cerca" Ediciones Edilux S.L.
IBSN:978-84-87282-35-5
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