The Noria del Acebuche or de la Algaida, the best preserved water wheel in Archena

Beautiful views across Archena and towards the Sierra de Ricote

An important part of the heritage of Archena, and one which owes its existence to the location of the town on the River Segura, is the water wheels which are dotted around the surrounding countryside and, in some cases, in the built-up area of the town itself. (see History of Archena for further information about the agricultural past of the municipality)

Unfortunately these are without exception in a very poor state of repair, but one which is worth a visit is the Noria del Acebuche, sometimes known as the Noria de La Algaida, which stands alongside the main road which rings Archena to the south. Although it is very close to the main course of the River Segura the wheel in fact stands on the “Acequia” (or irrigation ditch) de la Caravija, one of the most important water infrastructures in the past in Archena and one which also powered at least three other wheels: the Noria de la Cierva, the Noria de Vicente and the Noria de Matías Martínez.

There is documentary evidence showing that the whole of this part of the Archena countryside was occupied in the past by “barracas” (the typical humble rural abodes inhabited by the residents of the “huerta” of the Region of Murcia), but at some point it appears that local by-laws were passed prohibiting the construction of more water wheels, despite the benefits they brought to the smallholding farmers.

Nonetheless, the Noria del Acebuche is a relatively modern construction, as is shown by the fact that  the central spokes and the rim are made of iron rather than the cheaper wood which was used in more ancient structures. The scoops which actually carried water upwards, on the other hand, are wooden.

This wheel is also unusual due to its size, and at a height of 12.2 metres it is one of the largest to have survived in the Region of Murcia. It is also worth a brief visit to admire the panoramic views across the countryside to Archena and beyond, with the Sierra de Ricote, the Sierra de Oro and the ruined castle of Ulea in the background.

Location

However, it is not easy to stop off and take a look at the Noria del Acebuche! If driving along the main ring road to the south of Archena from the east it is necessary to reach the first roundabout after going under the road bridge of La Algaida and then to take a small unsurfaced track which runs parallel to the main road on its right hand side.

This track is fairly rough, but it enables you to stop alongside the water wheel about half way between the roundabout and the large modern bridge over the Segura.

There are many other wheels in Archena, including the Noria de Matar in Calle Virgen de la Milagrosa and the Noria de Matías Martínez near the Puente Viejo, the old bridge leading into the east of the town, but these are in a far worse state of repair. The same is true of the Noria de Chirrinches, the Noria del Otro Lao, the Noria de la Cierva and the Noria de la Cañada: to say that Archena is wealthy in terms of water wheels would almost be an understatement, but these monuments to a past way of life have been allowed to deteriorate.

Despite this, they remain in place dotted among the smallholdings and acequias of the huerta, punctuating a drive or a cycle ride around the countryside and providing constant reminders of the days when Archena depended on its natural resources in order to survive.

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