Convento de Cristo

The Convento de Cristo in Tomar, Portugal, is one of the most important aspects of the city's historical heritage. The grandiose and imposing edifice is a national monument and one of the most important testimonials of the Order of the Knights Templar, responsible for its construction. The convent was founded in 1159 by Gualdim Pais, the fourth Grand Master of the Order, occupying a historically strategic location on the banks of the Nabao River. Its architecture displays various elements of the Crusades, Religio Romana, Manueline and Renaissance styles, most notably the impressive keep and turret, known as the Charola. Visiting the Convento de Cristo is an unforgettable experience, giving insight into the fascinating and tumultuous past of Portugal and the power of the Christian Knights.