Tomar: Templar History, Parks and Special Festivals

Tomar combines impressive Templar history with riverside scenery, parks, unusual museums and a culinary specialty of its own. Those looking for a mix of culture, small discoveries and free time in green surroundings for a family holiday will find various opportunities here to make their daily itinerary varied. When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home, you can therefore consider whether historical themes, walks, festivals or culinary experiences should form the focus of your trip.

Templar History and Special Buildings

The Convento de Cristo is part of the ensemble that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983. Its history dates back to 1160: at that time, the Convento de Cristo was founded by Gualdim Pais, the Grand Master of the Knights Templar. The Charola is particularly striking, a 12th-century Templar rotunda influenced by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. The west façade of the Manueline church also features the chapter house window, built between 1510 and 1513.

Other religious buildings also add to the historic character. The present form of the Church of Santa Maria do Olival emerged in the mid-13th century under the rule of Afonso III and is considered a representative example of Gothic architecture in Portugal. The church became the pantheon of the Templar masters. The Synagogue of Tomar was built between 1430 and 1460 on the orders of Henry the Navigator. Since 15 October 2019, it has housed an interpretation centre explaining the origins of Judaism and, in particular, the Jewish presence in Tomar.

Important for travel planning: the Templar castle is temporarily closed for conservation and restoration work. You should take this information into account if you intend to focus your stay mainly on visiting the Templar complex.

River Island, Parks and Discoveries for Different Age Groups

Mouchão Park is located on a small river island in the Nabão and is connected to Tomar by pedestrian bridges. Tomar’s largest children’s playground is next to the park. This makes it possible to complement a culturally focused day with time in green surroundings and a child-friendly break, without losing sight of the character of the city.

Mata Nacional dos Sete Montes is a park of approximately 39 hectares in the centre of Tomar that connects the city with the castle. The park includes the Charolinha, a miniature temple built from hewn stone that resembles a replica of the lantern towers of the Convento de Cristo. Those who want to discover not only interiors and historical facts during their stay, but also parkland and individual details, can include these different places in their daily itinerary.

Museums, Local Speciality and Festivals

Tomar also offers smaller, surprising themes. The Matchbox Museum of Tomar displays a collection of more than 60,000 matchboxes, labels and matchbook covers. The Cultural Complex of Levada comprises buildings from the Middle Ages, the modern era and the present day. Casa Memória Lopes-Graça preserves personal belongings and documents belonging to the composer in a documentary and artistic centre. Preserved pointed arches of the Estaus can be seen in a building on Rua dos Arcos.

For groups, Open Roads in Tomar offers a night-time tour dedicated to the mysteries and legends of the city. Another special feature is found on the plate: Fatias de Tomar are made exclusively from egg yolk and cooked in a special pot in a bain-marie. The city’s traditions include the Festa dos Tabuleiros, which takes place in Tomar every four years. At the Santa Iria Fair, the death of the saint is commemorated on 20 October; flower petals are scattered into the water.

Getting There and Choosing the Right Base

Those travelling to Tomar on the A1 should leave the motorway at Torres Novas onto the A23 and follow the signs to Tomar. When looking for accommodation, you can first decide whether Tomar itself should be the focus because of its historical themes and parks, or whether you would like to include other places in your selection. Your particular interests provide a clear direction: culture travellers pay special attention to the buildings and the interpretation centre, families can additionally plan a visit to Mouchão Park and Tomar’s largest children’s playground, while curious explorers can combine museums, park details, local sweets or a night-time tour.

For further location searches, you can also check Tomar, Paço, Paialvo, Junceira, Alvrangel and Pedreira.

For the overarching travel overview: Santarem.

More Destinations

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