19 October, 2021
Aledo Water mine
Muslims founded Aledo and its fortress towards the end of the 9th century. Today, the old urban centre is still surrounded by the wall and defence towers perfectly adapted to the natural rock cut on a strategically selected rock crag. Before going to the mine, it is worth taking a tour of the municipality to soak up a bit of its fascinating medieval history to which it is closely linked. Although It would be nicer if the town still had the medieval period air a bit more, it has its charm. And, in the “Torre del Homenaje” (en: Tribute Tower), an unavoidable visit, there is currently an exciting interpretation centre that would help us on this journey through time.
Once its history is known, and outside the town itself, you have to go around the rock till you get under the Tribute Tower, at the foot of the hill where the town sits. If we look up, we will see an isolated fortification element that draws our attention today. This one is midway between us and the urban area, forming part of the southern flank of the fortress. It is “the turret”, a defensive tower built in mud that protects and hides a spiral staircase dug in the geological rock, in the form of a well. It facilitates the entrance to an underground passage that leads to the mine used to filter the water that supplied the castle, allowing it to withstand a long siege. This complex system of water catchment defended is popularly known as “Well of the Moors”.
The truth is that all this defensive complex and water supply system should be guarded, readapted and musealized. However, at least on the occasions that I have been, it was nothing like that. Perhaps, the access to the place has been adapted and conditioned in the last three years.
AUTHOR: Carlos Velasco
View of the southern slope of Aledo. In red, we highlight “the turret” and, in yellow, one of the entrances to the water mine.
Entrance to one of the galleries of the water mine.
The waters settled in its interior are usually crystalline and very cold !!
As we enter, the watercourse is getting deeper and deeper.
Surprisingly, a mine from the Islamic period is still in operation in such an arid region. Although at the time of this visit, it was not protected or adequately conditioned.
