Cultural landscape of Ricote Valley (Murcia)
During my residency in Centro Negra AADK, Blanca (Murcia, Spain), I worked on a photo eassay about the cultural landscape of the Valle de Ricote. It is within the frame of the programme Tahwila, Laboratory for Critical Spatialities.
The Valle de Ricote is North of Murcia municipality, is about 20 km. long and includes, from North to South, the small towns and villages of Abarán, Blanca, Ulea, Ojos, Ricote, Villanueva del Segura and Archena. Approaching Abarán, river Segura enters the valley. The hills are not high, but as we go downstream the scenery becomes more dramatic. In Ojos the station of the artificial reservoir Embalse - Azud de Ojos is located, a bottleneck and the end of the reservoir.
Rio Segura was for centuries a modest stream running through the valley. It was used for irrigation and has been the lifeblood of Ricote Valley. Irrigation has turned a barren landscape into a big fruit and vegetable garden.
In 1979, water supply from Tagus River was added to Rio Segura, through 300 kilometres of pipes, canals and reservoirs. In enables the development of Murcia as an agricultural district. Authorities decide how much water goes to Segura River, and how water resources in the region are allocated.[1] Water efficiency has a high priority. Due to changing climate conditions, the water supply to Murcia was seriously cut in 2023 and its distribution is even more critical.
Ricote Valley is different from other rural areas in Murcia province. In Ricote Valley the Rio Segura is very significant, Moorish influences can be traced related to irrigation, but the gardens are small, are getting old and are not profitable anymore.
This photo essay presents an interpretation of the cultural landscape of Ricote Valley. Three themes were selected, that are presented in three big panels with 16 photos each.
The first is about water flows. Along River Segura Moorish heritage is visible, such as the waterwheels that transport water from the river to higher places and water distributions channels. They are still operational in some places. But nowadays pumps, tubes, containers and drip systems are used, reaching places further away from the river. Canals and various waterworks are critical because river Segura is a fully regulated watercourse.
The second theme is la huerta - the region as a fruit and vegetable garden. The traditional huertas close to river Segura are mostly small parcels (average 4.000 sq.m.), typically owned by families since very long. The population is aging, and in current times younger people are not keen to work in the huerta. Quite a few gardens are neglected. On the other hand, we see larger scale new agricultural developments, also serving to halt desertification.
The third theme is the river-space nexus, the ties between people and the built-up areas, and the river. In Ricote Valley, river Segura means more than water for irrigation. The river is part of daily life in the habitats, were it only because bridges must be crossed. The river facilitates leisure, heritage, arts and sports. With the declining importance of agriculture, investments have been made in tourism infrastructure and promotion. Tourism, mostly daytrips during the weekend, slowly picks up.
The 3 * 16 photos of the series will be on 3 big wall panels, like pieces of a puzzle that do not completely fit.
For full screen, click on the galery and then use the arrows upper-left.
The 3 * 16 photos are shown individually below in three galaries.
First the 'water flows' series
For full screen, click on the galery and then use the arrows upper-left.
Second is the series la huerta.
Third is the nexus series.
