The Lifeline: Uncovering Tomar's Nabão River
The Evolution of the Nabão River: A Lifeline for Tomar
The Nabão River, flowing through the heart of Tomar, has been an essential part of the town's history, shaping its development from ancient times to the present day. This small yet vital river has provided water for agriculture, industry, and daily life, while also contributing to the cultural and historical identity of the region.
Ancient and Medieval Importance
The Nabão has been a source of life since pre-Roman times, serving as a crucial waterway for early settlers in the region. During the medieval period, the river played a significant role in Tomar’s growth, particularly under the guidance of the Knights Templar in the 12th century and later in the 15th and 16th century with Prince Henry the Navigator developing the river parks and the island and and King Manuel I, who harnessed the power of the Nabão to support the population of Tomar, using it for irrigation, powering mills essential for grain production, and supplying water to the town.
Industrial Advancements and Hydraulic Systems
As Tomar expanded, so did its reliance on the Nabão. By the 16th century, under the Order of Christ (successors to the Templars), watermills, irrigation channels, and other hydraulic systems were developed to optimise the river’s use. At the turn of the sixteenth century, King D. Manuel I carried out a program to improve the Levada in search of a better way of providing water for the mills. A wall was built on the urbanised side of the village, enabling water devices to take advantage of the Levada’s water flow. The former mill and olive press were renamed after D’El Rei, showing the royal power of Manuel I in the Order. The King reshaped the riverfront in order to enhance its productive facet. These changes consolidated the importance of the Levada de Tomar. The following structural changes would only take place in the mid-nineteenth century following the abolition of religious orders in Portugal when industrial firms took over the Order of Christ mills.
Right from the beginning of the Templar settlement of this area, several edible gardens appeared on the banks of the Nabão River, such as the Order Garden, later renamed Horta d’El Rey (the King’s Vegetable Garden) the closed gardens of João Coito and others along with the Sítio do Prado (Prado’s Site) regarding the water wheels and the mills in the Levada of Tomar, there is confirmation that three of the six mills are described as azenhas and three as moinhos. The distinction between azenha and moinho in this case is that the azenhas had vertical undershot water wheels, whereas the moinhos were powered by horizontal wheels called rodizios It is important to point out that there is a wide variety of hydraulic wheels in Portugal, a justifiable aspect in view of the geographical and cultural diversity present in the Portuguese territory.
On the riverbanks, there were vineyards and olive groves, for instance, Vinha da Várzea (Floodplain Vineyard) and Olival do Flecheiro (Flecheiro Olive Grove). The Nabão powered flour mills, textile production, and even metalworking, making it an economic driver for the region.
Environmental Challenges and Conservation Efforts
Over the centuries, urbanization and industrial activity have impacted the Nabão, leading to concerns about water quality and pollution. In recent years, efforts have been made to clean and restore the river, ensuring that it remains a valuable resource for both nature and the community. Local authorities and environmental groups have worked on initiatives such as:
Wastewater treatment improvements
Riverbank restoration projects
Community clean-up programs
Promotion of eco-friendly tourism along the river
The Nabão River Today
Today, the Nabão remains an integral part of Tomar’s landscape, offering scenic beauty and recreational spaces such as Mouchão Park.
Walking along its banks, one can appreciate how this river has shaped the town’s history, from the Templar era to modern conservation efforts.
As Tomar continues to evolve, the preservation of the Nabão is key to maintaining both the town’s historical heritage and its natural environment.
Whether through cultural traditions, historical landmarks, or ecological initiatives, the Nabão remains a symbol of resilience and renewal for Tomar and its people.