Discover Tomar

Unesco World Heritage Site in Tomar

Table of Contents

Tomar is famous for its unique cultural heritage, including architectural masterpieces recognized by UNESCO. The city is known for its many World Heritage Sites, including the Tomar Castle of the Order, the Cristo Convento Monastery, as well as many other architectural and historical monuments. 

These sites are not only symbols of the rich history of the region but also attract tourists and explorers from all over the world who want to immerse themselves in the unique atmosphere of antiquity and grandeur of this place. So if you are wondering what to see in Tomar Portugal, these are great places to visit.

What Is UNESCO?

UNESCO is the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. It was established in 1945 to encourage world cooperation in education, science, culture and communication, as well as to protect cultural heritage and promote cultural diversity. One of the examples on the UNESCO list is the Castelo de Tomar, which demands your attention. 

UNESCO is also known for its World Heritage Program, which aims to preserve and protect the world’s cultural and natural sites, including iconic places such as monuments, natural parks, archaeological sites and historic cities. The Convento de Cristo Tomar has been added to UNESCO’s list of cultural sites. 

How Many World Heritage Sites in Portugal?

Portugal is a small country, but the concentration of amazing  sights per square kilometer is off the charts! The UNESCO World Heritage List in Portugal includes 15 sites located in different parts of the country, including the Azores.

  1. The city center of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores. This cozy town, founded by Alvaro Martins in 1478, is located on the southern coast of the island of Terceira. Its ancient streets are crowned with numerous architectural gems such as the forts of São Sebastião and São João Baptista, a military college, an arsenal, an observatory, baroque palaces, a cathedral and many churches. A walk through the streets of the city allows you to plunge into the atmosphere of bygone times, and afterwards, you can enjoy local specialities in fish restaurants and taste the local wine Vinho de Cheiro.
  2. Convent of the Order of Christ in Tomar. This Monastery, founded by the Knights Templar Tomar Portugal in the 12th century, is located in the town of Tomar. Its history is closely connected with legends and mysteries, and its architectural ensemble is a unique combination of different styles, from Romanesque to Manuelino.
  3. Traveling through the Convent of Christ territory seems like a real journey through time, where every corner is shrouded in historical events and legends.
  4. Mosteiro de Batalha (Mosteiro de Batalha). Built by King João I to commemorate the Portuguese victory at the Battle of Aljubarrot, the Mosteiro de Batalha, or Monastery of the Battle, is a majestic and solemn Gothic structure. Its architectural ensemble, rising above the plain, gives the impression of a fairy-tale castle woven from stone. Inside the royal tomb of the monastery are buried King João I, his wife Philippa Lancaster and the legendary Infante Enrique the Navigator, symbolizing the beginning of the era of the Great Discovery.
  5. Jerónimos Monastery and the Tower of Belém (Mosteiro dos Jerónimos e Torre de Belém). These landmarks are the most striking examples of the Portuguese Manuelino style. The monastery was founded in 1501 by King Manuel I and is the greatest monument of this style. Its architectural beauty, decorated with openwork patterns and ornaments, transports visitors to a magical world. The Belem Tower, built in the early 16th century, is also an example of Manuelino and has served various purposes, from a defensive fortress to a museum.
  6. The historic center of Évora (Centro histórico de Évora). This living museum preserves a rich heritage of different eras. Its historic center has a wide variety of architectural styles, including Roman ruins, medieval churches and Moorish palaces. Of particular note are the ruins of the Roman Temple of Diana, the Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis with its unique crypt made of human bones.
  7. Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça (Alcobaça Monastery).The first Portuguese king Afonso Henriques ordered the construction of the monastery in honor of the victory over the Moors. In 1153 the construction began, which in time became an important center of culture and spirituality of medieval Portugal. The main building of the monastery is a Gothic cathedral, which for centuries served as the tomb of Portuguese kings.
  8. The city of Sintra and its surroundings (Paisagem Cultural de Sintra). Sintra, as if stepped out of a fairy tale, strikes you with its beauty and unreality. Surrounded by forested mountains, this town is a cinematic landscape. The Palace of Pena is the former summer residence of the Portuguese kings, the dilapidated Moor Castle and other unique architectural structures can be seen in its vicinity.
  9. The historic city center of Porto (Centro Histórico do Porto). Porto is a city of bridges, ancient churches and magnificent baroque architecture. Its historic center is rich in various sights, including the 13th century Romanesque cathedral, the tallest tower of Clérigues, the São Beinto train station and the multicolored houses of the Ribeira district. Porto is also famous for its numerous bridges designed by Gustave Eiffel.
  10. Prehistoric rock art in the valley of Côa (Sítios de Arte Rupestre do Vale do Côa). There  is an archaeological park where rock carvings of animals and geometric figures dating back to the late Paleolithic period are preserved. These images, carved in stone with quartzite or flint tools, are more than twenty thousand years old and are a valuable historical heritage.
  11. The Laurel Forests of Madeira Island (Laurissilva da Madeira). The evergreen forests of Madeira Island are a unique natural landscape. This type of forest, which has almost completely disappeared from the face of the earth, has been preserved in Madeira in all its diversity of unique species of flora and fauna. Many of the plants and animals found in Laurisilva in Madeira are relics of the Tertiary period.
  12. The wine region of Alto Douro (Região vinhateira do Alto Douro). The winemaking tradition in Alto Douro has remained unchanged for two thousand years. The pastoral valley of this region, located at the headwaters of the Douro River, is home to a wide variety of wines: Bordeaux, Burgundy, fortified and port. Wine tours of the area’s wineries allow you to purchase several bottles of wine.
  13. Historic Guimarães City Center (Centro histórico de Guimarães). Medieval Guimarães is the cradle of Portugal and one of the oldest cities in the country, as well as the birthplace of the first king. The unique architectural ensemble of the old town includes the São Miguel Fortress, the Palace of the Dukes of Bragança, the Old Town Hall, the Church of St. Francis and other historical sites.
  14. Paisagem da Cultura Vinha da Ilha do Pico. The island of Pico is famous for its vineyards located on the slopes of a dormant volcano, the highest mountain in Portugal. The vineyards, which cover an area of 987 hectares, have been growing wine since the 15th century. They are divided into many plots enclosed by stone fences, which create a unique landscape and resemble a huge stone labyrinth.
  15. The border town of Elvas and its fortifications (Cidade Fronteiriça e de Guarnição de Elvas e as suas Fortificações). Elvas, located on the border with Spain, is an ancient town founded in 1229. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, it was the site of a garrison citadel, whose defences were built according to the latest military science. Inside the citadel are barracks and numerous monasteries and churches, as well as a majestic aqueduct.

If you wonder if the Templars still exist today, we can clearly say that their chivalry was finished in the 14th century. 

Convent of Christ in Tomar

The Monastery of the Order of Christ in Tomar is a majestic architectural structure rich in history and unique character. Founded in the 13th century, this monastery has a unique origin and many interesting features.

The Monastery of the Order of Christ began its history as a castle belonging to the Universal Templar complex, a knightly order established during the Crusades. In the XIII century, King Afonso II of Portugal gave land to the Templars as a token of gratitude for their help in defending the country against the Moors. 

Tomar Castle Portugal became one of the Templar strongholds and their main fortress on the Iberian Peninsula. After the Templar order was abolished in the XIV century, the castle was transferred to the possessions of the Order of Christ, created by King Dinis I. The Order of Christ was founded in 1319 to continue the Templar cause and protect Portuguese interests. The monastery became its headquarters and center of spiritual and cultural life.

Over the centuries, the monastery has undergone many changes and expansions. It has become an architectural symbol of Portugal, combining Gothic, Renaissance and Manueline elements. If you are wondering where is Tomar Portugal, use Google Maps and be sure to visit this place. 

Why You Should Visit It

  1. Historical value: The Convent of the Order of Christ is a unique monument of Portuguese history that immerses you in the Middle Ages and recounts important events of the time.
  2. Architectural splendor: The Castle Monastery in Tomará impresses with its architecture, grand halls, decorative elements and impressive frescoes reflecting history and religious motifs.
  3. Unique exhibits: In the monastery, you can see many historical artifacts, religious objects and works of art related to the history of the Order of Christ and Portugal in general.
  4. An atmosphere of mystery: A walk through the monastery immerses you in an atmosphere of ancient legends and mysteries related to the history of the Order of Christ and its knights.

Tourist Tips

The Monastery of the Order of Christ in Tomar will delight you at any time of the year. The only thing that can cause inconvenience in the summer is the intense heat. Tomar is far from the coast and doesn’t have a fresh breeze like Lisbon.

Usually, there are no crowds of tourists. However, if you visit early in the morning or during the low season, you can enjoy a walk around its grounds almost completely alone, which is worth it!

Don’t forget to wear comfortable shoes as the monastery has many passages and stairs, as well as extensive grounds. When traveling with children, be careful not to let them walk around the monastery alone. There are many dangerous places without fences where they can easily climb.

Opening hours in summer: daily from 09:00 to 18:30 (entrance until 18:00). In winter: daily from 09:00 to 17:30 (entrance until 17:00). The monastery is closed on January 1, March 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, December 24 and 25.

Cost of visit: for adults – €6, children under 12 years old – free of charge, pensioners (over 65 years old) – €3.

Address: Igreja do Castelo Templário, Tomar, Portugal.