Christ Monastery and Templar Castle
In 1983, UNESCO declared the Templar Castle and Monastery of the Christ Knights of Tomar a "World Heritage of Humanity"; it is invaluable to the history of the West. Built on a site of Roman worship, the whole tells about seven centuries of Portuguese history and the great moments of the history of the West.
Afonso Henriques, our first king, donated a large strip between the Mondego and Tagus rivers to the Knights Templar. Legend has it that in 1160 the knights, who went to this region, chose a hill to build a castle and that they would give this hill the name of Tomar. In 1314, the Templar Order was dissolved by the persecutions of King Philip the Fair of France. Thanks to the will of D. Dinis, the people, the goods and the privileges were fully integrated into a new order - the Militia of the Christ Knights. Together with the Infante D. Henrique, he would assist the Portuguese people during the Voyages of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries. The castle of Tomar was then used as a monastery and seat of the Order, and Henry the Navigator (Infante Navegador) was appointed governor and perpetual administrator.....
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