Things to see and do Central And Beiras

We can see it in the distance when we arrive at Tomar. The closer you get to it, the more its shape manifests itself. This medieval castle is located on Linha do Tejo, the defensive line of castle built from Santarém to protect the capital (Coimbra) of the Moors at the time of the reconquest of the Kingdom in the 12th century by Christians. Construction began in 1160 at the same time as the Charola of Convento do Cristo and Almourol Castle near Abrantes, under the leadership of Templar Master D. Gualdim Pais. According to historical writings, Tomar Castle was used as a refuge by Christians during the six days of attacks by the Moorish Caliph Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur. A plaque near the entrance to the church commemorates this victory, and a gate of the fortress was named "the gate of blood". This castle was the residence of Infanta Henrique and Manuel I in the 15th century, then João III in the 16th century. The military fortress combines the romantic, Gothic and Renaissance styles, and is composed of a double belt of walls that bounded the first village and the square of arms. The first wall of pentagonal shape is called the citadel (alcáçova) and is enhanced by the keep, the Torre de Menagem, a type of construction introduced by the Templars into the country. The round church of the castle (rotunda), like some other Templar churches in Europe, is said to have been built on the model of the Omar Mosque in Jerusalem, which the Crusaders mistakenly believed to be a relic of Solomon's Temple.

It is to be seen with the Renaissance palace (where the museum is located) and the church of Mercy opposite (with its huge baroque facade). The combination of these three monuments gives the square a diversity of colours and styles that softens the massive appearance of the cathedral. Do not miss the visit of the cloister with its 18th century azulejos walls and, with your head in the air, the superb Manueline vault known as the "vault of the knots". The Museum of Sacred Art, which consists of the Cathedral Treasure, is worth a visit. Be careful, during the priest's agape, the cloister closes for a few minutes.