The Painted Dam of Orihuela (Azudes de Rio Segura) – Orihuela, Spain - Atlas Obscura

The Painted Dam of Orihuela (Azudes de Rio Segura)

Orihuela, Spain

Painting of this dam or weir seems to be a tradition.  

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The weir in the centre of the historic  quarter of Orihuela, Spain is certainly medieval  but the age of the remarkable painting on its face is uncertain. What is clear however that this is not the first painting to adorn this structure  as an entirely  different painting can be seen on a photograph  from 1987. The painting involves the city crest and multi coloured rectangles. Flows in the river are such that most of the time the face of the weir remains  dry.

This latest version of artwork on the weir may have been created about 2018 when it seems that refurbishment of the banks around the weir and installation  of new footbridges was carried  out. We do know that prior to 2001 the river was highly polluted  due to effluent from the local canning industry.  In 2001 a major campaign was instigated by environmental  regulators.

Even without the adornment the structure  is of great historical  interest. The original purpose of the weir was to direct water into an irrigation/water supply/water power system. Along the Segura are numerous  examples of such impondments, some of which were used to supply water to water wheels that drove ingenious scoop sytems to raise water levels even further than the levels achieved by the weirs. The irrigation  system  around  Orihuela dates back to the 8th century  and is world famous amongst hydraulic engineers. Significant  academic publications have been produced.The face of the weir seems to have been reinforced with a concrete cap but how long it will last is unclear as it is visibly being undercut. 

This impressive  painting is unlikely  to be permanent as , from time to time the river floods and a torrent of water passes over the weir. Even in 2024 the condition  is much poorer than those shown in images from 2022. It is still worth taking the time to look not least because it is quite  close to the Cathedral.  Also, built into the walls of the canalised river, at this point is a rather nice modern sundial and just round the corner an amazing modern clock tower in glass.

Know Before You Go

There is nice underground  parking at Parking Entrepuentes just off Calle San Gregorio. Conveniently the pedestrian exit staircase near to the control office exits directly  next to the weir.


On the first Saturday  in June in 2024 it was hard to find somewhere  to eat as most places seemed to be closed at lunchtime. In walking distance is Meson Pepe which was open and served excellent grilled cuttlefish and a superb goats cheese salad.