The Ingenious Water Wheels of Hama

Hama is a city in Syria known for its iconic series of 17 water wheels along the Orontes River. These wheels, known as Norias, date back to the Byzantine era and were used for irrigation in agricultural land. The water was brought by canals that were directed to the wheels to turn them, before being poured out into the fields. The Norias are made of wood and have a diameter of up to 20 meters, making them a notable feat of engineering. The sound of their constant creaking is soothing, and it was fascinating to see how people had ingeniously leveraged the force of the river to irrigate the land. At night, the Norias are lit up with colorful lights, making them a beautiful spectacle to behold.