Knights Templar — Convent of Christ in Tomar

Convent of Christ in Tomar

Tomar is a remarkable cultural city in Portugal. It was also where the Knights Templar was once based. The Knights Templar, which used to be one of the most affluent and most powerful Catholic military orders in European history, was established to fight battles for guarding sacred sites. It owned numerous headquarters in Europe, and the Convent of the Knights Templar of Tomar, which was transferred to the Knights of the Order of Christ in 1344 and became its convent, was one of them.

Built in the 12th century, the convent stood as a monument symbolising the Reconquest. It is an architecture of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance style, exuding a solemn aura. In 1983, the convent was inscribed to the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage. Soon after the Knights Templar dissolved, the Portuguese branch was turned into the Knights of the Order of Christ. It served as an essential base for supporting Portuguese voyagers during the Age of Discovery in the 15th century. Right before you walk inside, you may have already been impressed by the delicate carvings on the Manueline style entrance. The interior of the church is magnificently decorated with paintings on walls and ceilings, which is truly awe-inspiring. The convent is delicately built, with many decorative details to be explored on such as windows and the main cloister. While you are admiring its architectural beauty, it may remind you of the heyday of the Knights Templar.