La Azuda

La Azuda de la Montaña de Aranjuez is a prominent hydraulic infrastructure located in the Montaña area of Aranjuez, created in the 18th century to manage water in the region. It was essential to Aranjuez since it once contributed to the local environment in terms of agriculture, water supply, and many other functions.

“Azuda” is a weir in English and is a hydraulic structure used to divert water from a river or canal to channel it to specific areas for use in irrigation, water supply, or any other purpose. These types of constructions are common in areas where it is necessary to control the flow of water to use it effectively.

The weir generally consists of gates, channels, and other elements that regulate the flow of water. It can be part of a larger water management system and has historically been used in agriculture to direct water toward crop fields. In addition, weirs have also been used in the generation of hydroelectric energy in some cases.

After decades of neglect, the city council of Aranjuez dedicated a considerable sum of money to renovating the weir. The small aqueduct directly behind it was also restored and a park was even created, where plaques explain the details of the reconstruction. When the work was finally completed, the weir was back in operation, only to stop working a few months later, and it remains so to this day.