This tour is a dream for history lovers, guiding you through a tapestry of eras, from Roman times and Moorish rule to the medieval age and modern Portugal. After a comfortable drive from Lisbon (just under two hours), you’ll arrive in Tomar, a city where every stone tells a story.
Step into the Convento de Cristo, once the stronghold of the Templar Knights and a masterpiece of Renaissance architecture. Built in 1160 by D. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Order of the Temple, this UNESCO site dazzles with its blend of styles, mystical atmosphere, and iconic features like the “Charola” (the original Templar church) and the world-renowned “Janela do Capítulo” (Manueline style), a tribute to Portugal’s Age of Discovery.
Next, explore the awe-inspiring Aqueduct of the Convent of Christ, constructed in 1593 to supply water to the convent. This engineering marvel, completed in 1619, is one of Portugal’s most complex and beautiful aqueducts.
On your return to Lisbon, you’ll pause at the mystical Castelo de Almourol. Conquered in 1129 by King D. Afonso Henriques, this fortress rises from a granite island in the Tagus, evoking the dawn of Portugal and the enduring mystique of the Templars. Its strategic location once protected the kingdom’s heartlands and adds an air of romance and legend to your adventure. The importance of the castle was to settle the territory between the Mondego and Tagus rivers, defending the then capital of Portugal, Coimbra.