Torres Novas

Torres Novas stands near the Almonda River in Portugal's Ribatejo. King Sancho I granted the municipality a charter in 1190, and a fair was authorized in 1263. The castle was rebuilt under King Fernando after damage in wars with Castile, while the town's lands passed to Queen Isabel of Aragon in 1304.

The Portuguese Cortes met at Torres Novas on several occasions, including in 1380, 1438 and 1525. The town received a new charter under King Manuel I in 1510. The earthquake of 1755 damaged the castle, and a printed-cloth factory established in 1783 was destroyed during the French campaign of 1810. A paper mill was founded on the Almonda in 1818.