Plan a trip to Tomar

Tomar, with its distinct medieval character, is one of the most beautiful and charming towns in Portugal. Tomar is known as the Knights Templar City because it had served as the seat of the Order of the Knights Templar from 1118 to 1308. In fact, it is the world’s most important center of Templar history, and its well-preserved castle and church reflect the town’s rich history.

Tomar boasts the famous 12th century monastery, the “Convent of Christ” (Convento de Cristo in Portuguese) - a former Templar stronghold which was turned into the Knights of the Order of Christ and played an important role in the seafaring activities during the Age of Discovery. The Castelo do Tomar (Castle of Tomar), dating back to the times of the Reconquista, is part of the convent complex and is also considered an important historic and architectural landmark. The castle was part of the fortifications built against attacks by the Moors. The castle and convent, with their elaborate exterior and interior frescos and cloisters, reflect Gothic, Manueline, and Renaissance architectural features and are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

The 15th century Tomar Synagogue has been well-preserved and is one of the two synagogues in Portugal that date back to the pre-expulsion era. The synagogue served as a place of worship, a school, and a court for the prosperous Portuguese Jewish community until it was closed in 1496 following the edict of expulsion by King Manuel I. Following the expulsion of the Jews, the synagogue was turned into a prison, and, in later centuries, served various functions, including a wine cellar, warehouse, and a hayloft. Located in the Tomar’s historic city center, the synagogue now houses a Jewish museum.

The 16th century enormous aqueduct, Acqueduto dos Pegoes, is a famous landmark with its many beautiful arches and other outstanding architectural features. Originally built to supply water to the Convent of Christ, it has become a city icon and a popular destination for breathtaking views and photo opps.

The Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes is one of the oldest parks in the area and was the place of initiation into the knightly order. The park is full of large oak and cedar trees as well as beautiful landscaping.

Tomar’s charming old town has a well-known town square, lovely boutiques and cafes, Saint John’s bell tower, and the famous Renaissance Ponta Velha Bridge over the Nabao River. In modern Tomar, the downtown area is pedestrian-only and is a pleasant place to stroll with its fresh produce markets, charming cafes, and lovely shops.