Author(s)

A. de Miranda

Abstract

The water-wheel is one of the oldest typologies of water architecture in the Mediterranean countries. Its technology has remained intact for centuries and has not changed despite the 20th century progress. This typology has been able to combine the functional with the aesthetic and spectacular aspects. This paper reports the considerations derived from the study of the typological formation and evolution of the water-wheel and from the relation between hydraulic work and natural morphology in the Mediterranean lands where water, although seemingly in contrast with the arid nature, has always been the object of deep reflection that has led to transformations of entire landscapes. Keywords: craftsmanship, hydraulic works, noria, sāqiya, water architecture, water-wheel. 1 Introduction Water-wheels have played a leading role in a centuries

Keywords