Full Day Tour to Tomar (Templarios Route)

Highlights

Inclusions

Itinerary

1. Follow in the footsteps of the Templar Knights on a day trip from Lisbon to the legendary sites of Almourol Castle, the Church of Santa Maria do Olival and the Convent of Christ in Tomar. This trip combines picturesque landscapes, medieval monuments and the rich symbolism of one of the most fascinating military orders in history. Travel with comfort accompanied by an expert Guide and discover the deepest meaning of the Templar legacy in Portugal. Your day begins with a panoramic tour from Lisbon to the banks of the Tejo River. Your first stop is the Castle of Almourol, which seems out of a fairy tale, dramatically situated on a small island in the middle of the river. A short boat tour (included) takes you through the waters to this 12th-century fortress, one of Portugal’s icons. Walk along its walls and towers as your Guide explains the castle’s strategic role during the Christian Reconquest and its legendary connection with the Templar Knights

   2 h

2. Convent of Christ is the name by which is generally known the monumental complex constituted by the Templar Castle of Tomar, the Renaissance Convent of the Order of Christ, the conventual fence, today known as the Wood of the Seven Mountains, the Hermitage of the Immaculate Conception and the conventual aqueduct, also known as Aqueduct of the Pegons. Inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1983, it incorporates some of the most expressive testimonies of the history of Portuguese architecture. The seven centuries of its construction span the most significant moments in the history of Portugal. The castle arises in 1160 with the foundation of Tomar by the Templars. After the extinction of the Templars in 1312, it will be the seat of the Order of Christ and under the administration of Infante D. Henry (1420 - 60) will emerge the convental houses around two claustrums of Gothic expression : the claustro di Lavaggio and the Cemetery.

   1.5 h

3. The Castle of Tomar, also known as the Templar's Castle, is well known, or did not have functioned as the seat of the Temple Order in Portugal. Its construction dates back to the time of D. Afonso Henriques, who donated the region of Ceras to the Temple Order, beginning its construction in 1160, by D. Gualdim Pais, templar master and founder of the city of Tomar. It was this one, by the way, who introduced innovative Military architectural techniques, originating in the East, such as the alambor and the house tower. Various inscriptions are visible embedded in the stones, which refer to the Temple Order. Pay special attention to Charola, ex-libris of this monumental set, a unique example of military and religious architecture, which evokes the Holy Sepulchre and the Temple of Solomon. When entering, you will be stunned by the monumentality of this space, which functioned as a chapel of the Templars.

   1 h

4. The Church of Santa Maria do Olival is the pantheon of Portuguese Templar Masters. It was built in the 13th century on top of the original church of the Temple Order, which was also built on an earlier construction, a monastery belonging to the order of St. Benedict during the Visigotic period. The architecture shows the transition between the Romanesque and Gothic styles. The side chapels and the south gallery are in Renaissance style dating from the 16th century. The tomb of Gualdim Pais (in the second side chapel), the figure of Our Lady (of Diogo Pires-o-Velho), the Renaissance tomb of the 1st Bishop of Funchal (in the main chapel on the left) and the chapel of Simon Preto with tile from the 17th century are all worthy of interest. This church became the “Mother Church” of all churches in Asia, Africa and America by a papal bull of Pope Calisto III on March 13, 1455. This established that the former had ecclesiastical jurisdiction over the overseas territories and their inhabitants.

   1 h

Cancellation

Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the experience starts, for a full refund.

Know before you go

How it compares in Lisbon

• Its from-price is 27% below the median of the 1396 day trips we list in Lisbon.
• Its length is typical for the group.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Lisbon

Lisbon spills down its hills to the Tagus estuary, a city of tiled façades, rattling yellow trams, viewpoint terraces and late, unhurried dinners.

The old quarters hold most of the charm. Alfama's tangle of lanes climbs to São Jorge Castle and echoes with fado in the evening, the Baixa's orderly grid runs down to the vast Praça do Comércio on the river, and Bairro Alto and Chiado mix bookshops and cafés by day with bars by night. Viewpoints such as Santa Luzia and Senhora do Monte frame red rooftops and shining water.

Top-ranked sights in Lisbon: Commerce Square (Praça do Comércio), Pena National Palace (Palacio Nacional da Pena), Alfama.

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