Castle of Tomar
★★★★☆
The Castle of Tomar is part of the great architectural complex of the Convent of Christ, a historic and cultural monument which was listed in the list of UNESCO World Heritage list in 1983.
The convent was founded by the Templar Knights in 1118. Its construction continued until the final part of the 12th century with the construction of the oratory, in one of the angles of the castle, completed by the Grand Master D. Gualdim Pais.
The castle was built on a strategic location, over a hill and near the river Nabao. It has an outer defensive wall and a citadel with a keep inside. The Keep, a central tower of residential and defensive functions, was introduced in Portugal by the Templars, and the one in Tomar is one of the oldest in the country. Another novelty introduced in Portugal by the Templars (learned from decades of experience in Normandy and Brittany and elsewhere) are the round towers in the outer walls, which are more resistant to attacks than square towers.
The castle and Convent of Christ have examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance architectural styles.
The convent was founded by the Templar Knights in 1118. Its construction continued until the final part of the 12th century with the construction of the oratory, in one of the angles of the castle, completed by the Grand Master D. Gualdim Pais.
The castle was built on a strategic location, over a hill and near the river Nabao. It has an outer defensive wall and a citadel with a keep inside. The Keep, a central tower of residential and defensive functions, was introduced in Portugal by the Templars, and the one in Tomar is one of the oldest in the country. Another novelty introduced in Portugal by the Templars (learned from decades of experience in Normandy and Brittany and elsewhere) are the round towers in the outer walls, which are more resistant to attacks than square towers.
The castle and Convent of Christ have examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Manueline and Renaissance architectural styles.