Formerly home of the Templar Order, Tomar is a city of great charm for its artistic and cultural richness. The greatest exponent is in the Convent of Christ, one of the most important Renaissance works in Portugal.
Whatever the reason for visiting the city, climbing the Templar castle and discovering the monumental work of the Convent of Christ is a must. Charola is the oldest part.
This Templar oratory was built in the 12th century, as was the castle, which at the time was the kingdom's most modern and advanced military device, inspired by the fortifications of the Holy Land.
It was transformed into a chancel at the time of the reconstruction ordered by D. Manuel I in the 16th century, when the ensemble gained the architectural splendor that is still preserved today and justified its classification as World Heritage.
It is worth seeing the Convent with attention to discover some precious things, such as the representations on the Renaissance portal, the particular symbolism of the Manueline Window of the Chapter Room, the architectural details of the Main Cloister and the dependencies linked to the Templar rituals.
To better understand its history, it is important to know how the Order of the Knights of the Temple became the Order of Christ, safeguarding the power, knowledge and wealth they had in Portugal. The famous Infante D. Henrique, mentor of the Discoveries epic, was one of its most important governors and protectors.
The oldest urban area, medieval, is organized in cross, oriented by the cardinal points and having a convent at each end. The Republic Square, with the Mother Church dedicated to St. John the Baptist marks the center, with the Castle and Convent of Christ hill to the west.
In the surrounding streets you can find traditional shops and the oldest café where you can enjoy the delicacies of local pastries: almond and chili cheeses and traditional Tomar Slices, made only with egg yolks and cooked in a double boiler. in a very special pot invented by a city tinsmith in the middle of the last century.
To the points of interest already mentioned, we add the Contemporary Art Center, which houses the collection of one of the most important Portuguese art historians of the 19th century. XX, the Professor José-Augusto França.
D7A6F9
