Wadi Al-Tuffah (Apple Valley) and the Water Mills
Wadi Al-Tuffah, named for the apple orchards that once thrived there and the water mills that ground grain, is the western extension of the Nablus Valley. It is bordered to the east by the city of Nablus, with Zawata’s lands and valley to the west, Mount Gerizim to the south, and Mount Ebal to the north. The valley, located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, is known for its fertile agricultural land and abundant water supply throughout the year.
The valley was historically nourished by the surplus water from springs along its western course, such as Ein Al-Sharish, Ein Beit Al-Maa, and Ein Al-Subyan, as well as springs from the Rafidia region, including Ein Al-Kafir, Ein Al-Jisr, and Ein Rafidia. These springs supported the cultivation of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, which were supplied to the city's markets for centuries.
However, recent urban expansion and overuse of spring water due to population growth have led to a significant decline in agriculture, with only a small fraction of the crops remaining.
The ample and fast-flowing water in Wadi Al-Tuffah also created an ideal environment for grain mills powered by water energy. The oldest of these mills date back to the Roman period and were rehabilitated through subsequent eras until they ceased operation in the 1930s, replaced by modern mills.
The water mills were constructed with a channel supported by high stone arches, which directed water through an opening into the mill building. The building had two floors: the ground floor housed a metal wheel driven by the water stream, which rotated an axle connected to a basalt millstone. The rotating stone crushed the grain into flour. These mills and their arches were still visible until the 1980s but have since diminished due to urban development, leaving only two in poor condition.