Tomar Castle or Templar Castle

The Tomar Castle, also known as the Templar Castle, is very well known, since it was the headquarters of the Order of the Temple, in Portugal. Its construction dates back to the time of King Afonso Henriques, who donated the region of Ceras to the Order of the Temple. The construction was started in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, Templar master and founder of the city of Tomar. It was him, by the way, who introduced innovative military architecture techniques here, brought from the East, such as the “alambor” (a reinforced base using a stone-slanted ramp) and the keep. Several inscriptions embedded in the stones are visible, which refer to the time of the Order of the Temple.

Pay special attention to the Charola, ex-libris of this monumental complex, a unique example of Military and Religious architecture, which evokes the Holy Sepulcher and the Temple of Solomon. Upon entering, you will be dazzled by the monumentality of this place, which served as a chapel for the Knights Templar.