Tomar and the Templars Convent of Christ Tour: A Historical Tale
Description
Experience the epic tale of the Knights Templar in Tomar on this exclusive full-day guided tour. This is more than a tour—it's a meticulously crafted historical narrative that chronologically traces the Templars' story, from their origins to their enduring legacy in Tomar. Your journey begins at the Convent of Christ, the heart of this tale. Explore how the Templars' fortress transformed over the centuries, evolving from a powerful military stronghold into a magnificent architectural testament to their influence. Our guide will reveal the story behind the architecture, from the superb Knights Templar Round Church to the majestic Manueline Window. The narrative continues in the afternoon, where you will explore Tomar's old town. Discover how this medieval settlement flourished under their guidance. With our expert guide, you will gain a profound and engaging understanding of the Templars’ pivotal role in Portuguese history. This is the story of Tomar, told as it happened.
Tour Options
Itinerary
We begin your tour at the Castle of Tomar, the original headquarters of the Knights Templar in Portugal. We will trace the origins of the order from the Holy Land and explore their arrival in Portugal. The castle was strategically built to serve as a key center of Templar power and a vital fortress during the Reconquista.
Next, we move on to the heart of the fortress: the Convent of Christ. You'll step inside the stunning 12th-century Charola, the mysterious Templar Round Church, and then explore the magnificent Gothic-Manueline church. Here, you'll be captivated by the iconic Manueline Window, a marvel of sculpture adorned with ropes and nautical elements that stand as a powerful tribute to Portugal’s golden age of maritime exploration. As we continue, we will wander through masterpieces of Renaissance architecture, including the impressive Main Cloister, and discover later additions from the era of the Philippine Dynasty that reflect a significant shift in the convent’s history.
Break for a lunch in Tomar's historic Old Town. Lunch is not included in the tour price. An optional lunch with your guide at a traditional local restaurant is available, but must be arranged with the guide at least one week in advance of your tour date.
During the afternoon, we will journey into Tomar's Old Town, a medieval settlement founded by the Knights Templar. Your tour will lead us to the lively Praça da República, the town's main square. Next, we will delve into the historic Jewry, visiting its unique Synagogue to learn about the fascinating history of the Jewish community in Portugal. Your walk will then continue to the Templar mills, built by the knights themselves, and we will explore the remains of the earlier Roman and Visigothic settlements that existed in the town before the Knights Templar arrived.
Your journey through history concludes at the Church of Santa Maria dos Olivais, a stunning Gothic church built in the 13th century. This sacred place served as the first pantheon for the Knights Templar, and as we explore its serene interior, we will delve into its profound importance to the order. We will also uncover the hidden secrets and rich symbology that still shroud this magnificent church in an aura of mystery.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- This tour requires a minimum of 2 participants to proceed. All bookings are subject to confirmation.
- The entrance ticket to the Convent can be purchased during the tour.
- An optional lunch with your guide at a traditional local restaurant is available. Please contact the guide at least one week in advance of the tour date to arrange this.
- During the summer months, we recommend bringing a sun hat, sunscreen, and a bottle of water.
Reviews(16)
Fernando provide an outstanding overview of the Knights Templar and how it fits into the larger history of Portugal and Europe. If you only take one tour in Portugal, take this one!!
Fernando was wonderful. He is extremely knowledgeable and entertaining. It was a wonderful 7 hours learning about the history of Portugal and the Knights Templar. We toured the convent and the castle. He revealed details and history about the convent we would have missed without his guidance. The tour of Tomar and the churches and synagogue was delightful. Again, he brought to life the town with fun anecdotes and history.
oh this c was a lovely tour. fernando was so knowledgable and so easy to talk to. i leant so much. id stay overnight in tomar if i could to extend my knowledge
Excellent English. Excellent knowledge and ability to convey history in an interesting way. What I like most is the way it came to life. His analysis of history and reasoning gives meaning to why events happened and how events were connected. I came away with a deeper understanding of the Knights Templar and the history of the crusades. It’s an interesting part of history and something you will not get from an unguided visit of the Convent of Christ.
Fernando is passionate about sharing his knowledge of Tomar and the Templar history.
Fernando is the true 'storyteller' with great passion! He made the history of the Templars come alive, along with tales and legends of Portugal's Kings and its peoples, and the Holy land. Highly recommend spending your day with Fernando and go back in time!
Learning experience. Focused on details of history and how & why everything happened.
It was an incredible experience, we learned a lot about Tomar and the Templar Knights. The guide Fernando also knew a lot about the history and about the history of Portugal which greatly facilitated our learning.
Fernando is very passionate about the history of Tomar and the Templars. He was an excellent guide not just reading from a script but from the heart. I would highly recommend this tour, best thing we did in Tomar!
Fernando is a history teacher and guide all in one. We did the full day tour and learned so much, it is a not to be missed tour! Don’t let the lack of reviews throw you off, this is the best tour in Tomar!
