Hello everyone. I continue to share our memories from our trip to Portugal. This time, we arrived at a city that is rarely visited: Tomar. This city was founded by the Knights Templar and became their central headquarters.
Tomar was founded in the 12th century by a Crusader knight who was a right-hand man to Portugal's first king, Afonso Henriques. After the Knights took it from the Moors, King Afonso Henriques donated the lands of Tomar and the Convent of Christ, which was built here, to this knight.
The Convent of Christ in Tomar was constructed in several phases. Old and new sections are decorated in different architectural styles, showing influences of Portuguese Gothic architecture. The central structure was built in an octagonal form similar to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, adorned inside with columns embellished with sculptures depicting events from the life of Jesus.
Other parts of the monastery feature stone and wood carvings, magnificent frescoes and various artworks. In my opinion, this place could have been a setting for the Harry Potter films because of its highly impressive and mystical atmosphere. And the cells where the monks lived in the monastery are quite intriguing.
The most famous part of the monastery is a Manueline style window. This window is currently under restoration, so another visit will be necessary. However, overall, the Convent of Christ in Tomar is a place that, in my view, deserves to be on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
As we continue our journey, we delve deeper into the depths of this historic and mystical place. Everything here, from dining areas to kitchens, has been carefully planned and preserved. The impressive history of the Knights Templar is felt in every corner, which makes it a wonderful reason to visit.
Another remarkable structure that caught our attention when we arrived in Tomar was the magnificent aqueduct. Construction of this aqueduct began in the late 16th century and was completed in the 17th century, well after the Convent of Christ. Stretching approximately 6 kilometers, this aqueduct reaches an impressive height of 30 meters at its highest point. Its grand structure resembles the bridge we saw in Provence last May, but this one is higher and longer.
The aqueduct was built during that period to supply water to the monastery. Along the aqueduct, there are several decantation stations which were used to clean sand or other sediments from the water. The water was held at these stations, allowing sediments to settle to the bottom, ensuring clean water continued to flow to the monastery. Thus, the water reached the monastery in its cleanest form.
In the construction of the aqueduct, the cross, which is the symbol of the Knights Templar, is also present. This cross can be seen on the dome of the structure and in its decorations. What's interesting is that during the period when the aqueduct was built, the Templar Order did not officially exist, yet their symbols were still used.
The town of Tomar is situated at the foot of this hill where the monastery is located. Adjacent to the monastery is the Church of Saint Mary of Olival, which houses the tomb of the famous Templar Knight and founder of Tomar, Gualdim Pais. The church also features a bell tower that was once used as an observatory.
When we visited on a Sunday, the church was bustling with a ceremony and there was also a charming market set up along the riverbank. This quaint market by the river contributes to the pleasant atmosphere of the town.
Tomar boasts an intriguing exhibition space known as Casa dos Cubos (House of Cubes). Formerly a grain warehouse where wooden cubes were used to measure grains, it now serves as an art gallery dedicated to photography exhibitions. The interior is filled with geometric shapes, retaining its historical functionality while transformed into a modern art gallery.
The old town is quite charming. To be honest, we didn't know what to compare it with. It's quite different from other cities in Portugal. Another tourist spot here is the synagogue of Tomar. It has a rather tragic history for Jews, initially expelled from Spain and sought refuge here, only to be expelled again later. The synagogue has been turned into a museum after these exiles.
Then we reached the beautiful Republic Square. This square actually belongs to King Manuel I. It houses the Church of São João Baptista, which reflects Manueline style and features an octagonal clock tower, characteristic of Manueline architecture. Everything appears to be well-preserved or meticulously restored. The photos and river views also enhance the beauty of the area. I really enjoyed my time here.
Our visit to the small and lovely town of Tomar has come to an end. I hope you found this insight into this wonderful corner intriguing. I'll continue sharing memories from our trip to Portugal with you.
