Size: Diameter of 21 to 22 meters (approximately 69 to 72 feet)

Number of wheels: there are 17 number of wheels in water wheels of Hama in Syria

River current: The river current provides the mechanical force to turn the Hama

waterwheels,

Lifting water:The Hama norias lift water by using the force of the Orontes River current to turn the massive wooden wheels, which are fitted with buckets that scoop up water from the river at their base

Aqueducts: ancient wooden waterwheels called norias lift water from the Orontes River into elevated stone aqueducts, which are gently sloping channels supported by tall arches

Sounds: The water wheels of Hama produce distinct, "moaning" or "growling" sounds caused by the friction of their wooden components and axles against stone supports, as well as the impact of falling water.

Tourists of the water wheels: Tourists in Hama, Syria visit the Norias, ancient and massive wooden waterwheels that have been used for centuries to lift water from the Orontes River to aqueducts for irrigation and domestic use.

(The Norias of Hama)

📍 Location

• Found in the city of Hama, western Syria.

• Built along the Orontes River (known locally as al-‘Āṣī).

📜 History

• First constructed in Byzantine and early Islamic times.

• Many visible wheels date back to the 13th century (Ayyubid period).

• Used for centuries to lift river water into stone aqueducts for irrigation and drinking.

📏 Size & Structure

• Largest wheels reach 20+ meters (65 ft) in diameter.

• Wooden construction with arched aqueducts carrying the water.

⚙️ How They Work

• Powered by the river current of the Orontes.

• Wooden paddles turn the wheel.

• Clay jars attached to the rim lift water upward.

• Water pours into stone aqueducts, feeding fields, gardens, and fountains.

🔢 Numbers & Sounds

• Historically: 17 major wheels in Hama.

• Their creaking wooden sound became a symbol of the city.

• Popular with travelers and tourists, especially before 2011.

🌍 Cultural Importance

• Symbol of Syria’s engineering heritage.

• Listed on Syria’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage List.

• A unique blend of function + beauty.

✨ Visit Experience

• Stroll by the riverbanks, hear the wooden groaning sounds, and see reflections in the water.

• In summer evenings, locals gather around the wheels for music, food, and tea.

📸 Suggested Images for the Leaflet

• A wide view of Hama’s riverside with multiple norias.

• Close-up of a wheel pouring water into an aqueduct.

• Historic illustration or tourist photo showing the city and its wheels.

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DONE BY MUHAMMAD SAAD UMER CLASS 6B

• Found in Hama, Syria, along the Orontes River.

• Built as early as the 4th century.

• Used for lifting water to aqueducts for homes, farms, and baths.

How They Worked

• Turned by the river’s current.

• Wooden buckets lifted water.

• Water poured into aqueducts and flowed across the city.

Size, Sounds and Today

• Some wheels are over 20 meters wide.

• Famous for their creaking wooden sounds. there are 17 large norias (water wheels) still standing, but originally there were more than 30 built along the Orontes River.

• Once essential for water supply, now 29 wheels remain as historic tourist attractions.

• Number of wheel sounds and tourists

  • There are about 29 water wheels still standing in Hama.

  • They are famous for their creaking sounds, sometimes called the “singing wheels.”

  • Today, they are no longer used for water supply but attract tourists from all over the world as historic landmarks.

Operation and function

• Powered by the river: Each noria consists of a massive wooden wheel with box-like compartments around its rim. The natural current of the Orontes River turns the wheel.

• Water delivery: As the wheel turns, the compartments fill with water at the bottom. The water is then lifted to the top and emptied into an aqueduct, which distributes it throughout the city.

• Large scale: Some of Hama's norias are enormous. For nearly 500 years, the 21-meter (69-foot) Noria al-Muhammadiya was the tallest water wheel in the world.

• The "wailers": The rhythmic sound produced by the creaking wood and cascading water gave the norias their Arabic name, na'ura, which means "wailer". 

Decline and modern status

• Phased out: By the mid-20th century, the norias were no longer practical for irrigation. Motorized pumps and the construction of the Rastan dam upstream from Hama reduced the river's water level, limiting the wheels' ability to turn.

• Heritage attraction: Today, the surviving norias no longer supply the city's water. They function primarily as a cultural and historical landmark, and many have been restored to rotate and raise water.

• Enduring symbol: The water wheels have become a cherished symbol of Hama's history and heritage, attracting tourists and featuring prominently in the city's identity. 

Challenges to preservation

• Environmental factors: Lowered water levels from climate change and drought threaten the wheels, as dry wood can shrink and crack.

• Conflict and neglect: The wheels have been damaged over time due to neglect and have survived various conflicts, including the 1982 Hama massacre during which parts of the city were destroyed.

• Maintenance: Keeping the wooden norias in working order is an intensive process, with skilled artisan families traditionally responsible for repairs. Ongoing maintenance is necessary to protect them from decay and damage. 

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8 sites

• Norias of Hama - Wikipedia

  Norias of Hama. ... The Norias of Hama (Arabic: نواعير حماة) are a series of 17 norias, historic water-raising machines for irrigation, along the Orontes River ...

  Wikipedia

• Hama's waterwheels: Wooden Wonders Spinning Through ...

  Jan 28, 2025 — 28-01-2025. In the heart of Syria lies the ancient city of Hama, a treasure trove of history and natural beauty. As the Orontes River gently flows through its h...

  FGI Travel

• Hama: The City of Waterwheels - Syrian Memories

  Jan 25, 2025 — Hama, The City of Waterwheels, boasts 17 surviving noria water wheels (نواعير حماة), a testament to the city's ingenious past. These ancient water wheels on the...

  Syrian Memory.

Hama, a city in Syria, is famous for its super old and giant wooden water wheels. They are called norias! These huge wheels sit on the Orontes River and are a big part of the city's history. They are not just old; they are a great example of how people figured out how to use the river to help them.

Where They Are and How Old They Are

The norias are all along the Orontes River as it flows through the city of Hama. They are very, very old—some are from the 13th century! The biggest one, called the Great Noria, is a whopping 21 meters tall! That's as tall as a six-story building!

How They Work

The norias don't need electricity or a motor. The river's current does all the work! The water pushes the big wooden paddles on the wheel, making it turn. As the wheel spins, it has little wooden boxes that scoop up water from the river. When the boxes get to the very top, the water pours out into a channel. This channel then carries the water to gardens and farms, so they can grow plants and food! It's a very clever way to use nature to do a job.

The Sounds of Hama

In the past, there were over 100 norias in Hama. Today, there are about 20 left. As they slowly turn, they make a creaky, groaning sound. It’s a very special sound that people in Hama have heard for hundreds of years. People love to visit Hama to see these amazing wheels and hear their unique sound. The norias are not just old wheels; they are a a part of Hama's history and culture.