The spread of the noria during the Islamic period favoured the development of irrigated agriculture in this territory and its use has lasted practically until the present day. In this system, the device activated by hydraulic, animal, human force or motorised, rotates a rope of “alcatruzes” (buckets) that collect the water in the phreatic layer, allowing it to be conducted directly to the surrounding area or stored in tanks and cisterns for future use.
Throughout the Barrocal, but particularly along the road leading to Messines de Cima, there are various types of norias that in the past raised water to irrigate the vast land cultivated with vegetable gardens and orchards, of which only a small part is currently exploited.