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Guide for the beautiful Convent of Christ in Tomar
Tomar is one of my favourite cities in Portugal. I love the atmosphere and keep coming back to discover more sights. An amazing place I visit again and again is the stunning Convent of Christ. The building is not only beautiful but also has a very rich history.
The city is known as the Templar City, and during your visit to the Convento de Cristo, you will discover everything about the Knights Templar. They founded the Convent of Christ, and in this article, I will tell you more about what to expect at the site.
I highly recommend staying a night to fully immerse yourself in the Templar stories. But there are also fantastic excursions to Tomar from Lisbon with a knowledgeable guide. I’ll happily share how to get there and what to expect.
A Tomar Convent of Christ overview
A short history of the Convent of Christ Tomar
Afonso Henriques was the first king of Portugal. In the 12th century, he gifted the Knights Templar a region between the Mondego and Tejo rivers. The goal was to defend the kingdom during the Reconquista, and they found the perfect hill to build the convent and castle.
The Order of the Templars was founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, the grand master of the Knights Templar. The convent was the seat of the Knights of Templar in Europe, and surprisingly, it was never occupied for all those years. The stronghold grew to be of great importance for the Templars in Portugal.
As a matter of fact, the next-door Castelo de Tomar was an integral part of the defence system, and you should definitely visit the castle as well during your visit. The site is located on a hill overlooking the city, and it was a strategic place to build the structure. Nowadays you can enjoy a walk over the walls to get the best views.
Tomar is also known as Cidade dos Templários or the Knights Templar City. Its historic centre was once designed as a cross, with a convent at each cardinal point.
The Castle of Tomar and the Convent of the Knights Templar were the Order’s headquarters in Portugal. After the Knights of Templar dissolution in 1319, the name changed to Order of Christ in 1356. The Tomar Convent of Christ, as well as Tomar Castle, have been UNESCO World Heritage since 1983.
A selection of architectural styles
The construction of the Convent of Christ took place over five centuries, resulting in many different architectural styles combining Romanesque, late Gothic, Manueline, Renaissance, and Baroque elements. The stunning round church of the castle of Tomar was built in the 12th century.
In the 15th century, the Convent of Christ became a significant construction for the maritime discoveries by Portugal. Two cloisters were added: the Washing Cloister (Claustro da Lavagem) and the Cemetery Cloister (Claustro do Cemitério).
Other parts of the convent were expanded, such as the Hall of Passage, the Chapel of São Jorge, and the choir. King Philip II of Spain (Philip I of Portugal) added the aqueduct during the Iberian Union, and construction finished in 1614.
What to see at the Convent of Christ in Tomar
Templar Carola (The Rotunda)
When you first see the Templar Carola or Rotunda, you might grasp for air as it’s so beautiful! The Templar Carola was built in the 12th century, and eight pillars support the octagonal building. Inside, you’ll discover many paintings by Portuguese artists and historic wooden sculptures.
A Janela do Capítulo
A Janela do Capítulo, or the Chapter House Window is a stunning example of Manueline style at the Convent. The Manueline window was sculpted between 1510 and 1513 and designed by architect Diogo de Arruda. The organic shapes are made of coral, chains, and natural motifs. On top, you’ll spot the coat of arms of Portuguese King Manuel II and the Cross of the Orden of Christ.
Architect João de Castilho worked on the gate and portico to the Church of the Convent of Christ. He was also responsible for the Jerónimos Monastery in Lisbon, the Alcobaça Monastery, and the Batalha Monastery. Later, he was also managing the public works and did so until his death.
The cloisters
All in all, the Convent of Christ consists of no less than eight cloisters. They were all built between the 15th and 16th centuries. Aside from the previous ones, you can visit Saint Barbara’s Cloister (Claustro de Santa Bárbara), the Cloister of the Philips (Claustro dos Felipes), the Hospice Cloister (Claustro da Hospedaria), the Cloister of the Crows (Claustro dos Corvos), and the Cloister of John III (Claustro de D. João III, built by Diogo de Torralva).
Convent of Christ opening hours
The opening times to the Convent of Christ are as follows:
- From October to May: 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (last entry at 5:00 PM)
- From June to September: 9:00 AM to 6:30 PM (last entry at 6:00 PM)
- The Convent of Christ is closed on January 1st, March 1st, Easter Sunday, May 1st, December 24th, and December 25th.
The entire complex can be visited in approximately 2 hours. Castelo de Tomar is also recommended, as it is the perfect half-day sight in Tomar.
Convent of Christ Tickets
You can buy your Convent of Christ ticket at the desk at the Convent of Christ itself. However, you can also skip the queue and buy your tickets online. The entrance fee is € 15,00 per person and is free for children up to 12 years old. Children between 13 and 24 and people over 65 pay € 7,50 per person.
How to get to the Convent of Christ in Tomar
Tomar is a city in central Portugal, in the Santarém district. It was founded in the late 12th century within the walls of the Convento de Cristo. Tomar is well-connected, and there are several options to reach the city. Let’s take a look!
By car
You can follow the A1 motorway from Lisbon until exit A23 towards Abrantes/Castello Branco/Torres Novas. Continue on the A23 and follow the N110 towards Tomar and the Convent of Christ. The drive from Lisbon to the Convent of Christ takes around 1 hour and 50 minutes.
There is a paid parking lot next to the castle. Please note there are toll roads on the motorway. You can avoid them, but your travel time will significantly increase.
The drive from Porto takes just over 2 hours, and you can easily follow the A1 towards Lisbon. Then, take exit 11 to the A13-1 towards Codeixa/Tomar/Lousã. Exit 19 will take you to the IC9 and the N110 to Tomar. Discover the best car rental prices with DiscoverCars.
By train
From Santa Apolonia train station in Lisbon, there are regular trains to Tomar. The journey by train takes around 1 hour and 45 minutes. From Porto, the train takes anywhere between 4 to 6 hours to complete. Therefore, a car or bus might be faster when travelling from Porto.
Tours from Lisbon to Tomar
If you don’t want the stress of driving yourself, you can book a fabulous tour from Lisbon! A trip to Tomar is often combined with a visit to Constância, Óbidos or Almourol Castle. Currently, no tours from Porto are available unless you find a private driver.
Other things to do in Tomar
Before leaving town, there are many other places to discover. Remember to visit Castelo de Tomar and the beautiful Seven Hills National Forest. In the Old Town, you can find unique museums such as the Museu dos Fósforos (a museum about matches!) and the Fundição Tomarense.
You can walk along the river or enjoy a mead and a meal at Taverna Antiqua. The city also hosts many festivals, such as the Templar Festival and Festa dos Tabuleiros.
Where to stay in Tomar
The town lies on the shores of the river Nabão, and especially with nice weather, it’s a lovely place for a walk or cycle ride. But there are also some lovely hotels along the river. During my last visit, I stayed at Vila Gale Collection Tomar, which has a swimming pool and wellness centre. You can use the map below to find other amazing hotels in Tomar.
FAQ
How does Tomar and the Order of Christ play into the Templar story?
Tomar was an important home for the Knights Templar in Portugal. There, they founded a big castle and church known as the Convent of Christ. After the Templars were shut down, they regrouped as the Order of Christ to keep their work alive, helping explorers like Vasco da Gama sail the seas.
Why was the Convent of Christ built?
The Knights Templar built the Convent of Christ as a fortress and a place of faith, helping to protect Portugal during the battle. Later, the Order of Christ made it its home, supporting the Portuguese explorers.
What is the oldest Templar church in Portugal?
The oldest Templar church in Portugal is the Church of Santa Maria do Olival in Tomar, built in the 12th century. It was a burial place for Templar knights and an important spiritual centre for the order.
Conclusion
The Convent of Christ in Tomar is the perfect place to learn more about the Knights Templar and the Templar city. Its architecture is beautiful, and its interior is impressive. You can enjoy the Manueline church, the sacristy, and the Manueline window.
A visit to the convent is easily combined with a visit to Tomar Castle. It’s one of the most majestic monuments in Portugal and is not to be missed when visiting the convent. It is also perfect on a rainy day in the city, as it is mostly indoors.
The convent is located on top of a hill, offering stunning views over the town. To discover even more sights, visit the old town. Or visit during the Templars Festival for an incredible time in Tomar!
Other beautiful cities and sights north of Lisbon:
- 10 amazing tips for what to do in Óbidos Portugal
- Watch the Nazaré big waves in Portugal; Things to know before you go!
- Buddha Eden; The largest, most beautiful oriental garden in Europe
- Discover the stunning Mafra National Palace
- Lisbon to Ericeira: A local guide to Portugal’s favourite surf town
- 10 Things to do in Caldas da Rainha
- 15 things to do in Tomar
- Visiting Fátima, Portugal: What you need to know
- Visit or stay at Aldeia da Mata Pequena in Portugal’s stunning countryside
- Stunning nature at Berlengas, Portugal + 8 things to do
- Celebrate the amazing Carnaval Torres Vedras in Portugal
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