Portugal Hotels
Compare rates & save on Hotels in Portugal
Convento da Ordem de Cristo de Tomar Description
History of the Order

The Order of the Knights of Christ (Ordem de cavalharia de Nosso Senhor Jesús Cristo) was founded by King Dinis in 1317 for the purpose of "defend ing the faith, fighting the Moors and enlarging the Portuguese monarchy", following the dissolution in 1314 of the order of Knights Templar which had been established at Tomar since 1159. The new order flourished, particularly under its famous Grand Master Henry the Navigator.

The Order financed voyages of discovery to the west coast of Africa and thus began the process of colonial acquisition by the European nations. In the reign of King Manuel I (Grand Master from 1484) its possessions in Africa and the East Indies made it the wealthiest order in Christendom
... More >
Hobbies & Activities category: Castle, chateau, palace;  Town walls, fortifications, gates;  Historic site;  Christian sites;  UNESCO World Heritage Site
Convento da Ordem de Cristo de Tomar Highlights

Aqueduto dos Pegoes

The Convento da Ordem de Cristo de Tomar originally drew its water from springs and cisterns but from the late 16th C., with the building of an aqueduct, the Aqueduto dos Pegoes, it was brought here from outlying springs in the northeast.

Claustro da Hospedaria

The Claustro da Hospedaria, or hostelry cloister, was, as its name suggests, for lodging noble guests visiting the convent.

Claustro da Lavagem

East of the Claustro do Cemitério is the two story Claustro da Lavagem, the "ablutions" cloister, which, like its neighbor, dates from the time of Henry the Navigator.

Claustro da Micha

The Claustro da Micha, or bread cloister where bread was handed out to the poor contains a mission seminary and military hospital, and is not normally open to the public.

Claustro de Santa Barbara

The little early Renaissance cloister of Santa Bárbara is next to the Claustro dos Felipes and from it can be seen the detail of the magnificent Manueline window on the west facade of the Knights
... More >

Claustro do Cemiterio

The Gothic Claustro do Cemitério, or cemetery cloister, on the northeast of the Templar church, is the oldest of the convent cloisters, and has Mudejar azulejos. This is the resting place of Vasco
... More >

Claustro dos Corvos

The Claustro dos Corvos, the cloister of the ravens, which used to hold the convent kitchen, storerooms and monks' cells is not normally open to the public.

Claustro dos Felipes

From the church of the Knights of Christ a richly ornamented doorway leads into the upper gallery of the Claustro dos Felipes, or Claustro de Joao III, a beautiful Late Renaissance building (1557-62
... More >

Knights of Christ Church

The church of the Knights of Christ on the west end of the Templar church is one of Portugal's finest Manueline monuments. The work of Joao do Castilho, it was begun in 1515. Its exterior is
... More >

Templar Church

The crenellated Templar Church, or Rotunda, was begun in 1162 and modeled on the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem as a 16 sided polygon. This is supported by massive wall pillars, one of
... More >
Address
Convento da Ordem de Cristo de Tomar
N113
Tomar
Portugal
Hours
October 1 to June 30
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:009:009:009:009:009:009:00
Closed17:3017:3017:3017:3017:3017:3017:30
July 1 to September 30
MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
Open9:009:009:009:009:009:009:00
Closed18:3018:3018:3018:3018:3018:3012:00
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Easter - Christian
May Day / Labor Day (May 1)
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Cost
Adult3.00 Euros
Concession or reduced rate1.50 Euros
Tips
Last admission 30 minutes before closing.
Attractions Near Convento da Ordem de Cristo de Tomar, Tomar
Hotels in Popular Portugal Destinations
Top Portugal Destinations