The Estacio Cistern.

As in all arid regions, since prehistoric times, humans have devised methods to harness the scarce water resources available, either by storing rainwater or extracting it from the ground through wells. Thus, in the regions of Campo de Cartagena and Mar Menor, the presence of these systems, generally for family consumpiton, is widespread in rural areas, next to homes or scattered in ppulation centers near the beaches. Even lighthouses had their own cisterns, as in the case of Estacio.

Introduced by the Romans, it was the Arab who expanded their use. In fact, the word "aljibe" derives from the Arabic term "Al Yibab".

They are underground deposits generally in a cylindrical shape, waterproofed with a layer of mortar. On the outside, a wellhead was installed, topped by a small turret or chapel, with a door and a pyramid-shaped roof. Inside the turret, a wooden pulley was placed from which a rope with a bucket hung.

The Estacio Cistern, built to supply water to the families and domestic animals of the two lighthouse keepers who provided service to the lighthouse, was constructed following the model of a cylindrical vault and an exrterior turret, very common in the Campo de Cartagena.

The storage system began in a pool, collecting rainwater, where it was allowed to settle for some time to remove impurities. The water was channeled from the pool and passed into the cistern through a grille.