--- title: "Exploring  the Historical Aqueducts of Old Méchouar: Uncovering the Noria of Fez" description: Explore the historical aqueducts of old Méchouar in Fès, Morocco. Delve into the architectural past of this ancient city, uncovering the engine image: https://timelessfez.com/hubfs/000-makina-gravure.webp --- [Skip to content](https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-m%C3%A9chouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez#main-content) [![timeless-fez-high-resolution-logo-black](https://timelessfez.com/hs-fs/hubfs/timeless-fez-high-resolution-logo-black.png?width=800&height=600&name=timeless-fez-high-resolution-logo-black.png)](https://www.timelessfez.com/) - [Workshops](https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-m%C3%A9chouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez#products) - [Stories](https://timelessfez.com/stories) - [Our Mission](https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-m%C3%A9chouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez#about) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [Workshops](https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-m%C3%A9chouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez#products) - [Stories](https://timelessfez.com/stories) - [Our Mission](https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-m%C3%A9chouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez#about) - [Contact us](https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-m%C3%A9chouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez#contact) [Contact us](https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-m%C3%A9chouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez#contact) Jul 31, 2024 12:16:40 PM # Exploring  the Historical Aqueducts of Old Méchouar: Uncovering the Noria of Fez [Timeless Fez](https://timelessfez.com/stories/author/timeless-fez) Share: [facebook-f icon](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-méchouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez) [linkedin-in icon](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-méchouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez) [Twitter icon](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-méchouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez) [pinterest-p icon](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/link/?url=https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-méchouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez) [envelope icon](mailto:?body=https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-méchouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez)   ![illustration-4-copie](https://timelessfez.com/hs-fs/hubfs/illustration-4-copie.jpg?width=709&height=298&name=illustration-4-copie.jpg) *Bab Sebâa and the reconstructed great noria. Delarozière study 1938* Nestled in the north of Fès-Jdid, just before the majestic Bab Sebâa (Lion's Gate), lies the old Méchouar, bordered to the west by a strikingly tall and beautiful concrete wall. This wall, which might initially be mistaken for a rampart connecting Bab Segma's elegant octagonal tower with Bab Sebâa, marks the boundary behind which sprawls the extensive buildings of Moulay Hassan's Makina. But a closer look reveals something fascinating: the wall's high point supports a canal, approximately 20 meters above the current level of the Oued Fès, hinting at the area’s historical reliance on sophisticated aqueduct architecture. The Makina and Its Engineering Marvels The wall, stretching from the western edge of Bab Sebâa to the banks of Oued Fès, features blocked arches reminiscent of those found in grand aqueducts, confirming its function as a carrier of water, not soldiers. This structure not only showcases the historical engineering prowess but also narrates a story of water management that has been pivotal in the development of Fès. The Grand Noria: An Engineering Feat of the Beni Merin The grand noria, once housed within a narrow, deep pit supported by thick concrete walls, epitomized the zenith of historical water lifting technology. This massive wheel, about 26 meters in diameter, was primarily designed to lift water from the Oued to the aqueduct and even higher to a small elevated reservoir. Its remnants tell tales of its enormous size and the sheer force it must have wielded to draw water up with such efficiency. Architectural Insights and Historical Layers The aqueduct system near Bab Sebâa displays a fascinating architectural stratification, indicating several phases of construction. From the large arched bays filled in with bricks to the subtle shifts in the wall’s direction near Bab Segma, each element underscores a period of extensive building and modification, reflecting the adaptive reuse of structures over centuries. A Glimpse into the Past: The Noria's Historical Context Historical texts pinpoint the construction of the grand noria and the aqueduct it fed to the era of the Beni Merin. These documents suggest that the noria was built around 1286 under the directive of a Merinid Sultan, revealing not just the technological ambitions of Fès’s rulers but also their commitment to urban planning and development. The Aqueduct’s Role in Urban Water Management The primary purpose of this monumental aqueduct was not just to support the city’s water needs but to serve as a critical infrastructure for the royal gardens and possibly even the fortifications of the city. It channeled water to various parts of the city, including royal baths and mosques, highlighting the integral role of water management in the urban fabric of Fès. The Legacy of Fès's Aqueducts Today, while much of the physical structure of the aqueduct might have been repurposed or lost to time, its historical significance remains monumental. It stands as a testament to the ingenuity and foresight of Fès’s ancient rulers, who engineered solutions that not only addressed immediate needs but also laid the foundations for the city’s future growth. As we explore the remnants of these ancient aqueducts, we're reminded of the sophisticated engineering and architectural capabilities that have long been a part of Moroccan heritage. 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[Read more](https://timelessfez.com/stories/the-gnawa-lila-ritual-a-spiritual-journey-through-music-and-tradition) facebook-f icon linkedin-in icon Twitter icon instagram icon - [Workshops](https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-m%C3%A9chouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez#products) - [Stories](https://timelessfez.com/stories) - [Our Mission](https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-m%C3%A9chouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez#about) --- [![timeless-fez-high-resolution-logo-black-1](https://timelessfez.com/hs-fs/hubfs/timeless-fez-high-resolution-logo-black-1.png?width=220&height=165&name=timeless-fez-high-resolution-logo-black-1.png "timeless-fez-high-resolution-logo-black-1")](https://timelessfez.com/) Fez Medina, Morocco Copyright © 2024, ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Timeless Fez", "url" : "https://timelessfez.com/stories/author/timeless-fez" }, "dateModified" : "2024-07-31T16:47:53.901Z", "datePublished" : "2024-07-31T16:16:40.000Z", "headline" : "Exploring  the Historical Aqueducts of Old Méchouar: Uncovering the Noria of Fez", "image" : [ "https://timelessfez.com/hubfs/000-makina-gravure.webp" ], "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://timelessfez.com/stories/exploring-the-historical-aqueducts-of-old-méchouar-uncovering-the-noria-of-fez", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "https://timelessfez.com/hubfs/timeless-fez-high-resolution-logo-black-transparent.png" } } } ```