7 Best Attractions to See in Tomar in One Day

Tomar is a small ancient Portuguese city, a bright and reminiscent landmark of the Middle Ages. The knight Gualdím Pais chose the site for the castle in XII. He saw a divine vision on the hill where the Templars lived. The prototype for the city’s structure became Jerusalem.

The Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ is the first fortress on the Iberian Peninsula with round corner towers, which is not typical of the region’s architecture. From the very beginning, it acted as an insurmountable obstacle for attackers.

In 1190, the fortress was attacked by troops led by Yaqub al-Mansur, caliph of the Almohad dynasty. However, the Templars did not surrender the fortress. The round church, the so-called Rotunda, is the oldest building in the castle. It was built on the same principles as Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Above the two-story octagonal structure is a domed ceiling with rich multi-coloured Byzantine ornaments, a miracle of its time.

 

During Manuel I’s reign, Portugal became a great maritime and trading power center. Large-scale construction began, resulting in the monastery becoming a famous structure with luxurious decorations and courtyard galleries.

 

The two-story building with richly patterned fencing and towers became a striking example of the new Manuelino style. At the same time, the chapter window appeared, which is world famous due to the rich ornamentation of its platbands.

 

Location: JH3J+99 Igreja do Castelo Templário, Estr. do Convento 8, 2300-000 Tomar, Portugal

Praca da Republica & Old Town

The center of Tomar is Republic Square, paved with white and black stone. The Church of St. John the Baptist is in the Manuelino style and faces the main pedestrian street, Pinto, which leads onto the square. The street has many restaurants, cafes, and shops, making it one of the city’s main tourist attractions.
 

On the square is the Church of São João Baptista (Igreja de São João Baptista), a monument to the founder of Tomar, Gualdim Pais. Interestingly, the bell tower and the main building are made in different styles, although they are a single whole. On the wall are portraits of man and woman, and on the bottom, they are decorated with skulls, symbolizing human mortality.

 

All the main celebrations of Tomar take place in the square, one of which occurs only once every four years - the Festival of Trays (Festa dos Tabuleiros). At this time, you can see a procession of girls carrying trays of bread and paper flowers on their heads.

 

Location: Praça da República, Tomar, Portugal

 

The Synagogue

It’s in the old Jewish quarter of Tomar, in the city’s historical center. The building now houses the Portuguese Jewish Museum. Abraham Zacuto (Museu Luso-Hebraico Abraão Zacuto).

 

The city’s Jewish community built the Tomar Synagogue in the mid-15th century. Visitors first see the entrance with traditional ornament, through which they enter a square hall. Four columns that support a Gothic-style vaulted ceiling separate the three side naves. Geometric and floral patterns decorate the capitals of the columns. Excavations behind the synagogue building revealed the remains of a mikvah, a ritual pool prescribed by Jewish law.

 

The synagogue premises have undergone various metamorphoses throughout their existence. The temple building turned into a prison after King Manuel I of Portugal expelled the Jewish people from the state’s territory. A few years later, a church was found here, and a warehouse was opened.

 

Finally, at the beginning of the 20th century, the synagogue building was purchased and reconstructed, and a Jewish museum opened here in 1939. Among the exhibits are books about Jewish history, articles describing the traditions of these people, and tombstones, one of which dates back to 1308.

 

Location: R. Dr. Joaquim Jacinto 73, Tomar, Portugal

 

Aqueduct of Pegoes

The aqueduct’s construction began in the 16th century and was completed in the 17th century. King Philip I of Portugal, who was also King of Spain then, ordered its construction. The aqueduct is also called the monastery aqueduct and is a monument to the Spanish-Portuguese Union when Portugal and Spain were united after Philip II seized the Portuguese crown.

If you walk along the aqueduct, you will notice that the height of the aqueduct arches is not the same, and the maximum height of the arch is about 30 m. In addition, the aqueduct is not built in a straight line but slightly curved, changing its direction towards the castle. On one side of the aqueduct is a highway, and on the other, there is a dirt road, which motorists sometimes use.

 

Location: Vale dos Pegões, 2305-203 Tomar, Portugal

Match Museum in Tomar

The museum presents the most extensive collection, which began to be collected in 1953. During a trip to London for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II, Tomar resident Aquiles di Mota Lima met an American woman who collected matchboxes and decided to bring the same idea to life.

 

Today, the Match Museum in Tomar houses 43 thousand matchboxes from 122 countries. You need to go to the old monastery next to the bus station to get there.

 

Matchboxes of various designs are displayed in endless rows in glass cases. The collection is impressive. Matchboxes are organized by country of origin and sometimes by theme.

 

The exhibits stun the visitor, stacked row after row in seven large halls. You will need more than one visit because you will discover something new every time. There are matchboxes from the early days of communism in the USSR, boxes from the Olympic Games, book covers and movie posters, images of great writers, sports stars long gone from anyone’s memory, despotic rulers and democratically elected politicians, field commanders, and civilians.

 

Location: Av. Gen. Bernardo Faria, Tomar, Portugal 

 

Igreja Santa Maria do Olival

The Gothic church was built in the second half of the 12th century by the Grand Master of the Templar Order, Gualdim Pais. From the very beginning, it was used as the Order’s pantheon. The Order’s masters from the 13th century are buried here.

 

The temple is a bright example of Portuguese Gothic architecture. Its interior has three naves with wooden ceilings, illuminated by a large rose-shaped facade window above the entrance door.

 

The columns of the pointed arches of the naves are without capitals. The fan-shaped Gothic vault of the main chapel of the apse is one of the most essential attention-grabbing spots. In the 16th century, chapels were added to the south side of the church. 

 

One of the most significant features is the statue of the Virgin Mary with a baby in her arms, dating from the early 16th century. In the chapel is the tombstone of Diego Pineiro, the first bishop of Funchal, the central city and seaport of Madeira.

 

Location: Igreja de Santa Maria, R. Aquiles da Mota Lima, 2300-455 Tomar, Portugal

 

Sete Montes National Park

This is the largest park in the city, also known as the “monastery enclosure” (Cerca do Convento). In ancient times, the Order of Christ used it. 

The park features lush vegetation and a small temple called “Carolina.” It is perfect for relaxing with the whole family. Here, you can spend your free time feeling the city’s spirit.

 

The park is small but very cosy and compact. It’s the perfect spot to have a great lunch with your family and friends, go on a picnic, or relax in the fresh air surrounded by flowers and trees.

 

The park is beautiful at any time of the year and is very popular not only among visitors to the city but also among residents. You can often meet companies here who come to relax on weekends or at lunchtime.

 

Location: Avenida Dr. Vieira Guimarães 1 2300, Tomar, Portugal

Summary

If you are going on a tourist trip to Portugal, try to find at least a day to visit one of the most cozy cities in Portugal, Tomar, located 140 km away. This is a provincial town, a former stronghold of the Portuguese Templars, representing the complete opposite of the bustling localities.
 

Having visited Tomar, you will remember the beautiful pedestrian streets paved with paving stones and the facades of houses lined in the Azulejo style characteristic of the area. Also, the taste of freshly brewed coffee from street cafes on almost every corner is excellent.
 

Tomar is one of the most ancient and picturesque cities in Portugal. Its architectural heritage of monuments intertwines organically with natural treasures and numerous entertainment options for the whole family.


Please don't forget to review our best tours from Lisbon to Tomar and tours from Lisbon to Fatima, and join our happy customers!