The rich waters of river Ismenos, which flowed on the eastern side of the city, were used from the 9th century for moving watermills.

The watermills of Thiva are mentioned for the first time in the Land Register of Thivaand their dating is estimated around the 2nd half of the 11th century. The mills were fed by a millpond, which flowed from the springs of the river Ismenos. The construction of the millpond was probably a work of the late 12th century or earlier.
To date, only one watermill has been discovered, at the site of Tabouki – Rouki, dating back to the end of the 10th century. Research in the Ottoman registers revealed that in 1570 there were 31 watermills operating in Thiva. 20 of them had water millings for processing woollen fabrics.

The mills were fed by a millpond, which flowed from the springs of the river Ismenos. The construction of the millpond was probably a work of the late 12th century or earlier.