Visit Churches in Tomar
Table of Contents
The trip to Tomar Portugal is a journey through time, showcasing the rich architectural and cultural heritage of this remarkable city. From the grand Convento de Cristo to the legendary Capela de Santa Iria, each church tells a unique story of religious significance and artistic excellence.
Convento de Cristo
The Convento de Cristo is a historic monument featuring the Templar Castle. Its creation started in 1160, and it includes the walled village, military house, and the Charola oratory, completed in 1190.
To visit, take the A1 motorway from Lisbon to km 93, exit at A23 for Torres Novas, then continue on IC9 following signs for Tomar on N 110. There are several daily train routes from Lisbon to Tomar via Entroncamento. In Tomar, drive to Praceta Alves Redol, head west on Av. Dr. Cândido Madureira, turn right onto Av. Dr. Vieira Guimarães, or walk from Praça da República via Calçada de S. Tiago.
Address: Igreja do Castelo Templário, Estr. do Convento 8, 2300-000 Tomar, Portugal.
Charola
The Charola was served as the Knights Templar’s private oratory. Completed in 1190, it blends Byzantine and Romanesque architectural styles, with a central octagonal prism, or tambor, and sixteen sides. Originally facing east, King Manuel I reoriented the entrance to the south in the 16th century.
Infante D. Henrique adapted the Charola for the liturgical needs by adding:
- Large windows
- Wooden choir structures
- Four chapels
King Manuel I further expanded it with a triumphal arch connecting the rotunda to the Manueline nave. Now the Main Chapel, the Charola features sacred art, including sculptures and mural paintings, with recent restorations revealing hidden Manueline ceiling paintings.
To visit the Charola, take a regional train or bus to Tomar, then walk 15 minutes from the station to the medieval wall entrance. Renting a car offers flexibility to explore nearby attractions. This historic site is a key highlight of what to see in Tomar, Portugal, showcasing the region’s rich architectural and cultural heritage.
Address: Igreja do Castelo Templário, Estr. do Convento 8, 2300-000 Tomar, Portugal.
Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais
The Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais, dates back to the 12th century and served as the pantheon for Templar Masters under Gualdim Pais. Rebuilt in the mid-13th century, it features Gothic architecture with three naves of varying heights, a glass rosette on the façade, and a bell tower from a watchtower.
Inside, visitors can see private chapels, the Renaissance tomb of Diogo Pinheiro, and a 16th-century statue of Our Lady of the Milk. Outside, a tower that once connected to the Templar Castle adds intrigue. The church is open to visitors from Tuesday to Sunday, with varying hours by season. For those planning what to do in Tomar, Portugal, a visit to this historic church offers insights into Templar and Gothic heritage.
Address: Rua Aquiles da Mota Lima, 2300-255 Tomar, Portugal.
Igreja de São João Baptista
The Igreja de São João Baptista is a prime example of late Gothic architecture. Initially commissioned by Gualdim Pais during the construction of Tomar’s Castle, it was significantly reconstructed around 1430 under Henry the Navigator and completed in the early 16th century under King Manuel I.
This Tomar church features a rectangular plan with three naves and a bell tower with a 16th-century clock. The Manueline-style portals are adorned with symbols such as the Royal Coat of Arms, the Armillary Sphere, and the Cross of Christ. Inside, you’ll find richly decorated capitals, a carved stone pulpit, and several 16th-century paintings by Gregório Lopes.
Address: Praça da República, 2300-550 Tomar, Portugal.
Capela de Santa Iria
The Capela de Santa Iria honors Tomar’s patron saint. Built in the late 15th century near the Nabão River, it was part of the Convent of Santa Iria and renovated in the 16th century with Renaissance elements. The chapel has a rectangular plan, single nave, coffered ceiling with painted decorations, and walls with “diamond-tipped” tiles. A notable feature is the Manueline door leading to the sacristy, which houses a Calvary made of Ançã stone.
Designed by French sculptor Nicolau de Chanterene, the Renaissance portico and window are standout features of the Capela de Santa Iria. The altarpiece of Christ crucified, attributed to João de Ruão, enhances its artistic significance. Nearby, the Arco das Freiras (Nuns’ Arch) links the convent to the former Palace of Friar António de Lisboa. You can reach the chapel by bus (8027), car, or a short walk.
Address: Marquês de Pombal Street, 2300-510 Tomar, Portugal.
Igreja de Sao Francisco
The Igreja de São Francisco is a prime example of Mannerist architecture. It was founded in 1624 by Franciscan friars with King Filipe III. Its main body was completed in 1636, and the tower was finished in 1660. The interior features a gilded wood altar framed by four twisted columns, and a rare Calvary from the Convent of Trinas, installed in 1945.
The church’s single nave is covered by a barrel vault and adorned with a painting by Domingos Vieira Serrão, a 16th-century artist from Tomar. The first chapel houses an image of Santa Iria, Tomar’s patron saint. The adjoining convent hosts the Museum of Matches, established in one of its two cloisters in 1989.
Address: Avenida General Bernardo Faria, 2300-535 Tomar, Portugal.
