Water and Enlightened Techniques: The Azuda (Waterwheel) of Aranjuez (Spain)

Aranjuez's cultural landscape was significantly enriched by the 18th-century Azuda waterwheel, a unique blend of classical and Muslim engineering reinterpreted under Enlightenment ideals. This study reveals that the Azuda, combining wheel and aqueduct functions, served dual purposes: irrigation and recreation, while reflecting Mediterranean noria traditions. Spatial and chronological analyses of its construction process highlight its aesthetic value and functional versatility, offering new insights into how hydraulic innovations shaped UNESCO-listed cultural heritage sites during the Enlightenment era.

Romero, M. M., & Caba, V. S. (2021). Water and Enlightened Techniques: The Azuda (Waterwheel) of Aranjuez (Spain). Gardens and Landscapes of Portugal, 7(1), 18–29. https://doi.org/10.2478/glp-2021-0003