Knights Templar Castles Guided Tour

Hoogtepunten

Inbegrepen

Route

1. The Convent of Christ in Tomar is one of Portugal’s most remarkable historical monuments and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering visitors a journey through nearly eight centuries of history. Founded in the 12th century by the Knights Templar, the complex later became the headquarters of the Order of Christ, which played a decisive role in Portugal’s maritime expansion. As you explore its vast corridors, cloisters, and fortified walls, you’ll encounter an extraordinary blend of architectural styles, from Romanesque and Gothic to the ornate Manueline and refined Renaissance influences. Highlights include the iconic Charola, the Templar rotunda richly decorated with medieval frescoes, and the famous Manueline window of the Chapter House, considered a masterpiece of Portuguese art. Surrounded by lush gardens and overlooking the city of Tomar, the convent offers a unique combination of spirituality, military history, and architectural beauty

   2 uToegang inbegrepen

2. The Castle of Soure is one of the oldest fortifications in central Portugal, offering visitors a glimpse into the early medieval period and the origins of the Portuguese nation. Originally built as a defensive outpost during the 11th century, the castle played a key role in protecting the Mondego region during the Christian Reconquest. As you explore its restored walls and towers, you’ll learn about its strategic importance as one of the first strongholds granted to the Knights Templar in Portugal. Although only parts of the original structure remain, the site preserves its historic charm, with stone ramparts, a central courtyard, and views over the surrounding countryside. The castle’s peaceful atmosphere contrasts with its turbulent past, making it an ideal stop to understand the region’s early military history and the foundations of Portuguese identity.

   30 min

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Gratis annuleren tot 24 uur voor aanvang, met volledige terugbetaling.

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How it compares in Coimbra

• Its from-price is 44% above the median of the 209 experiences we list in Coimbra.
• It is longer than most of them.
• By number of reviews it ranks 125 of 209.
• The operator lists free cancellation on it.

About Coimbra

Coimbra is a hill city on the Mondego River in central Portugal, home to a centuries-old university, a baroque library and its own style of fado.

Coimbra rises above the Mondego River in central Portugal and was the country's capital in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Its university, founded in 1290 and settled in Coimbra from 1537, is the oldest in Portugal, and the old campus on the hill is a UNESCO site with the gilded Joanina Library and a tall clock tower. Students still wear black academic capes.

Top-ranked sights in Coimbra: University of Coimbra (Universidade de Coimbra).

See all 209 experiences in Coimbra