For several centuries, the power of water has been harnessed to grind grain or crush materials with high cellulose content, processes that were carried out in water mills.
With the Industrial Revolution, hydraulic energy began to be used for electricity production. This energy source developed rapidly thanks to inventions such as generators and turbines.
DIFFERENT USES OF WATER
The oldest evidence of unregulated use of the irrigation channels in Elche dates back to the 13th century: the Cantigas de Santa María (between 1257-1283) recount the story of a girl who drowned in the irrigation channel while going to drink water.
Traditionally, water has had a number of social uses related to health and pleasure. It has been used by all cultures in baths, laundries, public fountains, rafts, ice wells, etc.
Irrigation channels, along with roads, were busy places where the sobresequier (water judge) passed by on his daily inspection. They were travelled by irrigators when it was their turn to irrigate.
The residents would go to Clot de les Tres (now Curtidores Street) to wash their horses. The tanners also used water from the irrigation ditch to clean the hides, and the oil millers used it to clean the cofines, which were used to grind olives. And, of course, the women would go there to collect water for domestic use and to wash clothes.
Throughout history, children played and bathed in the irrigation channels of Elche. In 1741, an irrigator accused of tampering with the Nafís water distributor, south of the town, justified the offence by saying that ‘the boys come to play in the vicinity’.
CURIOSITY
WATER SPOUT IN THE PLAZA DE LA FRUTA
These decorated downspouts were very popular in the mid-19th and early 20th centuries, especially in the wealthiest or most luxurious buildings.
THE CULTURE OF WATER
The irrigation channels formed a living space where people could play, laugh, work and, no doubt, share their sorrows and gossip.
The first photographers who visited Elche left us some evidence of this. Their snapshots give us a glimpse of a sociability that was also part of the culture of water.
JOSÉ MARÍA SERRA Y ALONSO DEL REAL
Civil engineer.
Engineer at the Royal Irrigation Company of Levante, he obtained the concessions and financing for the use of the irrigation channels of the Segura river.
CLEANING AND PURIFICATION
The Arab Baths of Elche, built in the mid-12th century, are one of the few examples of Islamic public architecture preserved in the Valencian Community. They are part of the former Mercedarian convent of Santa Lucía and are supplied by a branch of the city’s main irrigation canal.
They are a hammam or public bath, which provided services to the residents of Madīnat Ilš and visitors. In addition to its function for personal and spiritual hygiene (a place for ablution –gusl– which believers must perform on Fridays before prayer), it was also a place for people to meet and gather.
Archaeological excavations carried out in 2014 brought to light the remains of another hammam, located inside the walled medina. They are located at the entrance to the old walled town through the Guardamar gate, in what is now the Plaza de la Fruta.
