Tomar: Templar History, Architecture and Local Traditions

Tomar tells its story on different scales: from the Templar Rotunda to a Gothic window and preserved pointed arches along a street. The Convento de Cristo is part of the ensemble declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Knights Templar, founded the convent in 1160. At its heart is the Charola, a 12th-century Templar rotunda influenced by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

Templar Heritage and Architectural History

The Pegões Aqueduct also tells the story of a planned construction project: it was intended to carry water from four springs in the area around Tomar to the monastery. The structure is about six kilometres long and has 180 round arches. Its approximate length and number of arches convey its scale; the four springs indicate the planned route of the water supply.

The window of the Chapter House, built between 1510 and 1513, is on the west façade of the Manueline church at the Convento de Cristo. Santa Maria do Olival offers another chapter in the city’s history: its present form took shape in the mid-13th century during the reign of Afonso III. The church is considered a representative example of Gothic architecture in Portugal and became the pantheon of the Templar masters.

The Synagogue of Tomar was built between 1430 and 1460 at the behest of Henry the Navigator. Preserved pointed arches of the Estaus can also be seen in a building on Rua dos Arcos. These details draw attention to different periods and architectural styles, rather than reducing the city’s history to a single Templar motif.

Museums and Cultural Sites

The Matchbox Museum of Tomar displays a collection of more than 60,000 matchboxes, labels and matchbook covers. The Cultural Complex of Levada includes buildings from the Middle Ages, the modern era and the present day. Casa Memória Lopes-Graça, a documentary and artistic centre, focuses on the composer’s personal belongings and documents.

Since 15 October 2019, the synagogue has housed an interpretation centre on the origins of Judaism and, in particular, the Jewish presence in Tomar. Visitors interested in the site’s history can find a thematic link here to the period when the synagogue was established. Open Roads also offers a night tour for groups devoted to the city’s mysteries and legends; contact the provider for details for groups.

Green Spaces and Cityscape

Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes is a park of about 39 hectares in central Tomar that connects the city with the castle. One of its distinctive features is the Charolinha: a miniature temple made of dressed stone that recalls the lantern towers of the Convento de Cristo. In this way, the park brings together landscape and an architectural motif from Templar heritage.

Mouchão Park sits on a small island in the Nabão River and is connected to Tomar by footbridges. The city’s largest children’s playground is next to the park. Unlike Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes, whose location in the city centre links the city with the castle, Mouchão Park is defined by its island setting in the river.

The Templar Castle is temporarily closed for preservation and restoration work. Check its status before visiting, as the closure may change.

Traditions, Cuisine and Getting There

The Festa dos Tabuleiros takes place in Tomar every four years. The Santa Iria Fair commemorates the death of Saint Iria on 20 October, when flower petals are scattered on the water. Fatias de Tomar offer another glimpse of local tradition: they are made exclusively from egg yolks and cooked in a special pot in a bain-marie.

If you are travelling to Tomar on the A1, you should exit onto the A23 at Torres Novas and follow the signs to Tomar. As toll regulations can change, check them before you set off. If you are planning a trip around the Festa dos Tabuleiros or the Santa Iria Fair, it is worth checking the event dates for your chosen year; the two traditions have different schedules.

Discover more destinations: Alvrangel, Pedreira, Paço, Paialvo, Junceira, Tomar, Mação, Coruche.

For the broader travel overview: Santarem.