Convent of Christ, Tomar, Portugal

The Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo) in Tomar, Portugal is a former Roman Catholic convent that is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In the 12th century, it was originally the Convent of the Knights Templar of Tomar. When the Templar order was dissolved, the convent passed to its Portuguese successor, the Knights of the Order of Christ, who made it their headquarters in 1357. A representative example of the Manueline style that developed uniquely in Portugal in the 16th century, the Convent of Christ was designed as a monument symbolising the Christian Reconquest of Muslim-controlled territories. On our Discover Portugal small group tour, Day 11 is given to the Convent of Christ, with the group travelling over to Tomar from its base in Fatima.

The Knights Templar and the Order of Christ

The powerful Knights Templar was formed around 1119 by a French knight, Hugues de Payens, to protect Christian pilgrims travelling to Jerusalem, some of whom were getting robbed and killed as they made their way through Muslim-controlled territories. Originally known as the Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ and the Temple of Solomon, they later called themselves the Knights Templar after they set up headquarters in Jerusalem’s Temple Mount. After many successful years, they received criticisms for their growing wealth, and soon many Templar members were being arrested, tortured, and killed. Pope Clement V dissolved the order in 1312.

Its Portuguese successor, the Knights of the Order of Christ, was founded in 1319 by King Denis with the approval of Pope John XXII. Prince Henry the Navigator served as administrator general of the Order of Christ, amassing great wealth that he then used to sponsor maritime expeditions.

After serving as the stronghold of two Catholic orders, the Convent of Christ in Tomar also witnessed the recognition of King Philip II of Spain as the new ruler of Portugal in 1581, following a succession crisis. Philip’s claim to the throne was through his mother, Isabella, the eldest daughter of Manuel I. This united the Spanish and Portuguese crowns, putting the entire Iberian Peninsula, as well as Portuguese colonies abroad, under the rule of Spain for sixty years, until Portugal restored its own king in 1640.

Inside the Convent of Christ in Tomar

The Convent of Christ is a sprawling Templar castle complex, with chapels and cloisters in varied architectural styles added by successive Portuguese kings. When Tomar was founded, most of the residents of the medieval town lived behind its protective walls.

The beautiful Templar Church (charola or rotunda) is a round church connected by arches to a gallery, a common architectural design among Templar churches. Building began in the second half of the 12th century under Grand Master Gualdim Pais, who founded the castle at Tomar in 1160. When you visit Tomar, you will find a statue of Pais in Tomar’s Republic Square.

Under Prince Henry, a Gothic nave was added, turning the original round church into the apse, which is where the altar is located in Roman Catholic churches. From 1510, Manuel I had the nave redesigned. In the centre of the high-ceilinged round church is an octagonal structure, with the interior decorated with late Gothic and Manueline sculptures, statues, and paintings.

The most famous element of the nave is the Manueline window, located on the church’s western side, its decoration showcasing the royal and nautical elements of the Manueline style: the Cross of the Order of Christ, armillary sphere, and a tangle of carvings depicting seaweed and ropes.

Visiting Tomar

You can visit Tomar on a day trip from Lisbon, visiting the convent and the Castle of Almourol, a castle on a small island in the middle of the Tagus River, about 20 kilometres away. If you are planning a wider trip, our Portugal travel guide covers the country region by region.

Seeing the Convent of Christ on our Discover Portugal tour

On our Discover Portugal tour, Tomar comes on Day 11. The group stays in Fatima, arriving on Day 10 after a stop at the Monastery of Batalha; for Batalha and Tomar together as a route, see our guide to the monasteries of Batalha and Tomar. On Day 11 we travel from Fatima to the Convent of Christ and explore the castle and convent complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1983, then return to Fatima, where the rest of the day is free. On Day 12 the tour continues north to Coimbra and the spa town of Luso. The tour is rated Level 2 (Moderate) and is led by an Odyssey Program Leader with local guides.