Photographs of a subterranean trip through the irrigation channel Aljufía
A narrow passage serves as our entrance to the hidden Aljufía, a section of the grand irrigation channel that snakes beneath Murcia’s city center. Layers of asphalt, brick, and concrete conceal this marvel of engineering, its origins dating back to at least the 9th century. A testament to the ingenuity of Murcia’s Islamic founders, the Aljufía served a dual purpose: a vital watercourse and a defensive moat guarding the city’s northern wall.
The Team
Rosa María Hervás, coordinator of the Masters in Education and Museums of the University of Murcia (UMU) and member of the Murcia Association of Educators of Museums and Patrimonies (Amurem), José Antonio Moreno, member of Huerta Viva, Benito Abellán, guardian of the irrigation ditch, Juan Tovar, vocal of the Aljufía in the “Junta de Hacendados” and the archaeologist José Antonio Manzano accompanied us on our journey .
A journey under the streets of Murcia
For almost 2 kilometres we pass through the Aljufía hidden under the streets of the city of Murcia (Spain) from Calle (street) Enrique Villar (Near the Plaza de la Universidad de Murcia) to Calle Acisclo Diaz (next to the Palacio San Esteban)
Photograph the hidden heritage
Many Murcia residents walk right over a hidden marvel: the impressive, brick-vaulted Aljufía canal that runs beneath the city’s central streets. This historic irrigation system, shrouded in time, possesses a rich heritage at risk of fading from memory. Beneath the surface lie remnants that speak volumes – remnants of waterwheel supports, bridge beginnings, and even water control structures.
Rosa María Hervás tries to avoid an obstacle in a narrow and low part of the underground irrigation channel
Remains of what appear to be holders of watermills (waterwheels to raise the water) and bridge starts.
Show it to the world
This collaborative effort aims to revitalize Calle Acequia, encompassing the former streets of Acisclo Díaz, Maestro Alonso, and Santa Clara. The project seeks to remind Murcia’s citizens of the historic Aljufía, a vital symbol of the city’s past. Aljufía represented the harmonious union between the city’s orchards and its urban center, and significantly contributed to Murcia’s prosperity.
The Aljufía closed with brick in its passage through the city of Murcia
Narrow access to the irrigation channel
The Aljufia canal
The Aljufia is one of the main canals of the traditional irrigation system that supplies water to the Huerta de Murcia, the fertile vegetable garden that use to be found around the city.
View from the underground irrigation channel to the street
The Islamic period
The Alquibla canal starts, at the Azud Mayor weir, also known as Contraparada. This weir diverts water from the Segura River. The Aljufia canal most likely dates back to the Islamic period in Murcia’s history
Departure from the main canal Aljufía at the height of the San Esteban palace in Murcia
The archaeologist José Antonio Manzano leaving by the stairs
More information:
Article in the newspaper la Verdad (Spanish)
Article in la Opinion de Murcia (Spanish)
Video on youtube youtu.be/9txn3iyEHQA (Spanish)
