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 Orontes river (Assi river | نهر العاصي), some dating back to the Byzantine era, are UNESCO-recognized and marvels of engineering designed to lift water to higher ground for irrigation, supplying life to the city’s orchards, fields, and homes.
The earliest reference to the Norias in the area is this Roman mosaic in the ancient city of Apamea (c. 350 AD). Image Source: PAP
Constructed entirely of wood these famous waterwheels were both functional and poetic. The word noria, stems for ‘na’eer’, the wailer, reflecting the unique sound of water cascading over their massive paddles and the creaks of the timber becoming a hallmark of Hama’s identity.
There used to be over a hundred waterwheels in Hama however most have been lost to time. What stands are these seventeen norias of Hama – each with their unique names and features. Explore each of these famous waterwheels below.
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A Hama Syria map showcasing the locations of these surviving norias is essential for exploring these engineering marvels.
1. Noria al-Qaq | ناعورة القاق (also known as noria al-Maqsaf)
One of the smaller waterwheels on the Orontes River, noria al-Qaq shares a common dam with Noria al-Muhammadiyah. Located on the right bank of the river, its name originates from the garden it irrigates, as well as a nearby café (Maqsaf in Arabic). It was renovated in 1984.
Photo of noria Al-Qaq with horses, camels and sheep. (circa 1898-46)
2. Noria al-Muhammadiyah | ناعورة المحمدية
Located in the Bab al-Nahr area, noria al-Muhammadiyah is the largest of Hama’s waterwheels, with a diameter of 21 meters (69 feet) and 120 water boxes. This iconic noria water wheel was rebuilt in 762 AH (1361 CE) and supplied water to The Great Mosque of Hama (جَامِع حَمَاة ٱلْكَبِير) and Hammam Al-Dahab and earned the nickname ‘The Golden Waterwheel’ for its grandeur and historical significance. It was restored in 1977.
Hamwi women and girls wash clothes in front of noria al-Muhammadiyah (circa 1898-1914)
Postcard of Hama’s tanneries by noria al-Muhammadiyah. Photo is likely from the early French Mandate period (circa 1920s)
3 – 5. Noria al-Dahsha | ناعورة الدهشة, Noria al-Dawalik | ناعورة الدوالك and Noria al-Khadurah | ناعورة الخضورة
Photo taken from Hama’s castle of the Orontes river, featuring noria al-Dahsha (center-right), noria al-Dawalik (center-left) and noria al-Khadurah (center). Featured in the March 1931 issue of National Geographic.
3. Noria al-Dahsha | ناعورة الدهشة
Unlike other norias, it does not have an inner circle, and its buckets alternate between large and small. Its triangular structure is rectangular in elevation. Restored in 1988, its name derives from the Palace of Amazement (Qasr al-Dahsha), built by Hama Governor Abu al-Fida.
4. Noria al-Dawalik | ناعورة الدوالك
Located on the left bank of the river, Noria al-Dawalik has a wheel restored in 1983 and 1988. Its aqueduct, however, has nearly disappeared. This noria, along with Noria al-Dahsha, operates a mill. Its name comes from Bustan al-Dawalik, which it used to irrigate.
5. Noria al-Khadurah | ناعورة الخضورة
This waterwheel, restored in 1988, has a diameter of 17.5 meters (57 feet). Its name derives from its proximity to the shrine of al-Khidr. Noria al-Khadurah.
6 – 8. Noria al-Sihyuniyya | ناعورة الصهيونية, Noria al-Wusta | ناعورة الوسطى and Noria al-Ja’bariyya | ناعورة الجعبرية
6. Noria al-Sihyuniyya | ناعورة الصهيونية
Located next to Noria al-Ja’bariyya at the same end of the dam, this medium-sized noria has a diameter of about 10 meters (33 feet). It was rebuilt in 1981 and restored in 1988. Its name comes from the Bustan al-Zioniya (Garden of al-Zioniya), which it once irrigated.
1950 Hama: Noria-al-Sihyuniyya and al-Ja’bariyya with a Hamwi canoeing on the Orontes – Photo: Van de Poll
7. Noria al-Wusta | ناعورة الوسطى (burned in 2014)
Known as ‘The Middle Noria’ due to its central location among the waterwheels of Hama, it was tragically destroyed in a fire in 2014.
Photo from the 2000’s showing all three norias, including noria al-Wusta which burned down.
8. Noria al-Ja’bariyya | ناعورة الجعبرية
This waterwheel stands between next to noria al-Sihyuniyya and al-Nuri Mosque. It was restored in 1981 and 1983, but on September 1, 1988, its aqueduct collapsed, destroying the wheel. The entire structure, including the 17-meter (56 feet) wheel, was rebuilt shortly after.
1952 Hama Syria Stamp showcasing al-Ja’bariyya and al-Sihyuniyya along with Al-Nuri Mosque
9. Noria al-Baz | ناعورة الباز (also known as al-Kilaniyya | الكيلانية)
This noria was originally the facade of the Kilani Palace that was destroyed by the Assad regime in the 1982 Hama massacre. Its wheel is approximately 12 m (39 feet) in diameter.
The al-Baz waterwheel circa 1920-1939. Get a hi-res framed reprint of this photo.
Colorized postcard of noria al-Baz, circa 1960
10. Noria al-Uthmaniyya | ناعورة العثمانية (formerly known as Al-Masrouda)
This medium-sized noria, with a wheel diameter of 11 meters (36 feet), was completely restored in 1980. It sits behind noria al-Ma’muriyya. Named after Othman pasha, it once supplied water to the Ottoman Bath and the Al-Khanqah Mosque (مسجد الخانقاه).
1940s Hama panorama - Noria al-Uthmaniyya can be seen in the bottom-right corner next to the larger noria al-Ma’muriyya. The noria al-Jisriyya can be seen on the left.
11. Noria al-Mu’ayyadiya | ناعورة المؤيدية (formerly known as Noria al-Hanqah)
Maybe the smallest existing waterwheel, noria al-Mu’ayyadiya has a wheel diameter of just 7 meters (23 feet). It is tucked away next to noria al-Uthmaniyya. While its aqueduct was not restored, its wheel and tower were rebuilt in 1979.
The al-Mu’ayyadiya water wheel can be seen on the right. Noria al-Uthmaniyya on the left. The al-Ma’muriyya towers over both. See the :47 second mark for a shot of all three.
The al-Mu’ayyadiya water wheel
12. Noria al-Ma’muriyya | ناعورة المأمورية
Noria al-Ma’muriyya is the second-largest noria on the Orontes after noria al-Muhammadiyah. Built in 857 AH (1453 CE), it has a wheel diameter of 21 meters (69 feet).
1930s photo of noria al-Ma'muriyya, with a child standing on the walkway.
13. Noria al-Jisriyya (ناعورة الجسرية)
Originally called Al-Yazbekia, then Al-‘Ubaysi, noria al-Jisriyya is located in the city center near the Saraya Bridge. A large portion of the aqueduct still exists. In its time, the noria used to provide water to the Al-Baroudiyya neighborhood.
1965 photograph of the al-Jisriyya giant waterwheel.
14 – 17. The Four Waterwheels - Al-Bushriyyat and al-Uthmanitan (الأربع نواعير – البشرريات)
Located at the entrance of Hama from the east, this group of four wheels is known as the ‘Four Norias’.
14 - 15. Greater and Lesser Al-Bushriyyat Waterwheels
Located in the Al-Bushriyyat area, these wheels are named after Sheikh Bishr, who is buried nearby. The larger wheel diameter is approximately 18 m (59 feet).
1980s Hama postcard featuring al-Bishriyyat (on the left) and al-Uthmanitan on the right.
16 - 17. The Two Ottoman Waterwheels | al-Uthmanitan | العثمانيتان
Positioned opposite the Bushriyyat, these twin wheels are part of the same dam causeway. They are approximately 12 m (39 feet).
Old Hama postcard featuring the four waterwheels - Al-Bushriyyat and al-Uthmanitan
Explore more Hama noria images in the Syrian image archive!
