Convent of the Order of Christ

Convent of Christ: A pearl of Tomar

Tomar, a city in the district of Santarém, is home to one of the most emblematic convents in the country. Indeed, its construction is intrinsically linked to the birth of Portugal as an independent and sovereign nation. It is the result of several centuries of construction, in which some of the most famous names in Portuguese architecture participated, such as Diogo de Arruda, Diogo de Torralva and João de Castilho.

History of the Convent

The Convent of Christ is composed of several buildings, the first of which date back to the 12th century. It consists mainly of the castle, the Templars' charola, a Manueline-style church and the convent itself, which is more closely linked to the Renaissance movement. It is worth remembering that the Convent of Christ is inseparable from the Order of the Knights Templar, which had its headquarters there and played a central role in the birth of the Kingdom of Portugal. This was at a time when the Iberian Peninsula was occupied, for the most part, by Islamic kingdoms. This was the time when the Knights Templar arrived in Portugal in 1128, precisely to fight in the crusades that would give Portugal new territories. In 1159, in gratitude for their participation in the conquests of Santarém and Lisbon (1147), Alfonso Henriques donated a vast territory located between Coimbra and Santarém, the Terme de Ceras, where the Knights Templar would later found the castle and city of Tomar.

How to speak about the Convent of Christ without mentioning the famous "window", one of the most popular examples of the Manueline style, is located on the western facade of the church, it represents various icons related to the Age of Discovery.

This national monument (title obtained in 1910) is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since 1983. And it is not lacking in history: its link with the Knights Templar also goes through the expansion works of the 16th century, which were strongly motivated by the spirit of the Age of Discovery. It should also be remembered that the Convent of the Order of Christ was the venue for the 1581 Cortes de Tomar, during which Philip I (Philip II of Spain) was acclaimed King of Portugal, marking the beginning of a period of Spanish occupation in Portugal that would last until 1640. Not to mention the occupation by French troops in 1811 and the courageous theft - yes, total looting - in 1834, after the extinction of the religious orders, of parchment corner books with illuminations, as well as the disappearance of paintings and other artistic specimens.

Practical information

Opening hours of the Convent of Christ

The Convent of the Order of Christ is a place full of history, which merges with Portugal's own history, and is part of a dynamic and interesting city. A visit to the convent can also include a short walk through the city centre, which is "bathed" by the river Nabão. From October to May it is open from 9am to 5.30pm (last entry at 5pm), and from June to September from 9am to 6.30pm (last entry at 6pm). It is closed on 1 January, 1 March, Easter Sunday, 1 May and 24 and 25 December.

Entrance fee

- Individual ticket: €6.00

Access to Tomar city

Tomar benefits from road and rail links that make access to it a "breeze". The A13 and A23 motorways serve the city, which also has a railway station with direct links to Lisbon.