Meet your guide at Lisbon Orient Station and board the train to Tomar. Enjoy a scenic journey through the Portuguese countryside. Upon arrival, take a short walk from the station to the historic centre and learn about the history of Tomar and the Knights Templar.
Begin the walking tour in the heart of the old town. Discover the Town Hall, historic architecture, traditional Portuguese cafés, and the local atmosphere. Visit the Church of São João Baptista, one of the finest examples of Manueline architecture in central Portugal. Admire its Gothic and Renaissance details and learn about its Templar heritage.
Next, visit the oldest preserved synagogue in Portugal and learn about Jewish heritage, medieval Portugal, and Sephardic history. Then, explore the Convent of Christ, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Visit the Templar Castle, Charola (Templar Rotunda), cloisters, Manueline Window, and monastic complex.
Enjoy a relaxed lunch in a traditional restaurant in the historic centre. Choose from a menu of regional starters, a traditional Portuguese main course, dessert, water, wine or soft drink, and coffee.
After lunch, walk through the former gardens of the Templars. Stroll along forest trails, discover hidden viewpoints and historic towers, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere. Explore Tomar's charming riverside district. Discover the Nabão River, historic bridges, traditional streets, and local shops. Enjoy free time for photographs and souvenirs.
Optionally, visit the Church of Santa Maria do Olival, the former pantheon of the Portuguese Knights Templar and one of the most important Templar sites in Portugal. Finally, board the direct train back to Lisbon.
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The storey of the Knights Templar in Portugal is unique in European history. When the Order was persecuted across Europe in the early 14th century following the arrests ordered by King Philip IV of France, King Dinis of Portugal chose a different path. Rather than persecuting the Templars, he helped establish the Order of Christ in 1319, allowing many former Templars to retain their lands, influence and traditions. Portugal thus became one of the few places where the Templar legacy survived.
Tomar became the centre of Templar power in Portugal. Its castle and the Convent of Christ remain among the most important Templar monuments in the world. Over the centuries, legends have flourished around these buildings, including the theory that the Holy Grail may be hidden somewhere within Tomar. Mysterious symbols and the remarkable Charola continue to fuel the imagination of visitors and historians.
The Templars left a lasting mark on Portuguese history. Through the Order of Christ, they helped support the Age of Discovery, and their famous red cross appeared on the sails of the ships that explored Africa, Brazil and Asia. Today, Tomar remains one of Europe's most fascinating destinations for anyone interested in the history, myths and mysteries of the Templars.
