TEMPLAR CITY

June 2013

Please note

For the people of Tomar's gallery click on The Nabantinos
For the historic buildings' gallery click on Churches and Chapels
For the castle and convent gallery click on Convent of Christ

The city of Tomar is called Templar simply because it was built by Dom Gualdim Pais, the fourth grand master of the Knights Templar.
Today the city is known mostly for being the home of the famous world heritage Convent of Christ.
Originally the town was built inside the walls of the Castle and around the Convent. Slowly it expanded outside and churches, factories and houses were built along the Nabão river. Only in the mid 15th Century did the town spring up with new settlers, artisans and traders and became one of the most important cities of Portugal.
The Praça da República (Republic Square), where you can find the statue of Don Gualdim Pais, is the most important place of the historic center, with an attractive collection of 17th Century architecture including Tomar’s Town Hall. This is the place where most of the events are celebrated: religious, historical, various exhibitions, organic markets and others.
On the north-east corner of the square starts Rua Serpa Pinto (Serpa Pinto Street) or The Corredoura. According to stories this is where the knights used to practice their fights. At the end of this street you find Ponte Velha (Old Bridge), built by the Romans. Once on the bridge, on your right, along the shores of the Nabão river, you can still see the Lagares d'el Rei (Mills of the King) that used the river water for power. On your left, is the Mouchão Park where during the summer months the crowds are big due to the strong sun. If you look straight ahead to the end of the bridge and on the right, you'll see the remains of the Convent of Saint Iria and behind it, the church of the Saint, who is the patron of the city. Other buildings of historical importance are the church of Santa Maria do Olival (built by Dom Gualdim Pais), the church and Convento of San Francisco, the Sinagoga in Rua Dr. Joaquim Jacinto (where the inhabitants grow flowers in between the cracks of the cement), the Capela de San Gregorio and the church of Nossa Sra. da Conceição.

With these images, in landscape and detail format, I am recounting the architecture, streets, alleys and some of the displayed souvenirs in the windows of modern shops.

© 2014 Gaetano Antonini