Tomar, The Legend of the Knights Templar

Tomar, the medieval city of 1160 and the legend of the Templars. On the “Tomar” tour, the traveler takes an unbelievable trip back in time, delighting himself with the famous Convento de Cristo (12th Century), which includes the enigmatic “Oratório dos Templários” called “Charola” templária, the medieval drawings reproducing São Cristóvão, symbolizing the passage of earthly life to the afterlife, as well as the Chapter Window, considered by many to be the most beautiful in Portugal. The Knights Templar (or Knights of the Temple of Solomon) came to Portugal in 1128. In 1159 they received from King D. Afonso Henriques, for their participation in the conquests of Santarém and Lisbon (1147), a vast territory. This tour also includes a visit to the historic Aqueduct of Pegões. In 1593 D. Filipe I (Filipe II of Spain) ordered the aqueduct to be built in order to supply the Convento de Cristo; as well as the passage through the medieval castle of Almourol (1171), an important landmark in the Christian reconquest.