DREAM / The Prime Minister resigns and wakes up under the Parisian bridge!

 Kliko këtu për të tjera
Voxpress:

Spanish city where water defies gravity

2022-06-25 14:42:13Lifestyle SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX

 

Spanish city where water defies gravity
Spanish city where water defies gravity

 

At Granada's famous Alhambra Palace in Spain, a 1,000-year-old hydraulic work still impresses engineers today. At the time, it was one of the most sophisticated hydraulic networks in the world, able to defy gravity and raise water from the river nearly a mile below.

For millennia, large cities have risen along the banks of rivers, lakes, and seas. Granada, too, developed along the Darro and Genil rivers. For the Islamic rulers who once controlled Granada and other parts of Spain for nearly 800 years, water played a major function in society, not only for survival but also for religious and aesthetic purposes.

Spanish city where water defies gravity

Public fountains, decorated with ceramic tiles, continue to abound on the streets of Andalusian cities. They were placed near mosques to perform ablution, or near the city gates to quench the thirst of travelers. In addition to public spaces, in the yards of Spanish houses there were many fountains, swimming pools, taps, ponds, etc.

Building a perfect water system

But this was not always the case. Historians believe the Alhambra was created as a fortress in the 9th century by Sawwar ben Hamdun, during the wars between Muslims and Christians who converted to Islam. However, until the 13th century, engineers tried hard to challenge the location and difficult relief of the Alhambra on Sabika Hill, turning it into a habitable town, with access to fresh running water.

Spanish city where water defies gravity

The early Moors used simple acequia, or small canals, for centuries, based on irrigation techniques they had learned from the Persians and Romans as they expanded into the Iberian Peninsula. But the innovation was to design a canal that would transport water 6 km from the nearest river, and then attach it to their yards, gardens and bathrooms. An "azud", or dam, was built to divert the flow of the river, transporting it to the hillside and then distributing the water into smaller canals, as well as a host of pipes in a network intertwined perfect.

Spanish city where water defies gravity

Over time, the city's irrigation system expanded. More water canals and "alberka" (large pools) were built, and cisterns were added to collect rainwater. Later, another canal was cut off from the main aqueduct, bringing the water even higher to irrigate the orchards.

Today all these fountains and canals are seen as genuine objects of art. Such is the "Lion Fountain" built of white marble and surrounded by ornate carved columns. Also very famous is the "Fountain of Tears", part of the UNESCO World Heritage status.

Spanish city where water defies gravity

After the 20th century, unfortunately, this whole system of water transportation was damaged and was no longer maintained, so currently various organizations are trying to restore and put back into operation this unique water supply system.

Galeria fotografike (
)


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

Video

SHIKO KANALIN NE YOUTUBE
×