Convento de Cristo

The Convento de Cristo is an important example of a Manueline style monastery located in Tomar, Portugal. The complex is the former headquarters of the powerful Templar Fraternity, who were present in the region until the 16th century. It is surrounded by crenellated walls and its buildings range from Romanesque to Gothic and Renaissance styles. Highlights of the complex include the gargantuan chapter house and the breathtakingly ornate churches. There are also numerous chapels with unique architecture and decorative features to explore, including brightly painted ceiling tiles, as well as intricate stone carvings and statues. The turreted keep serves as a powerful presence, but its interior is equally remarkable with vast galleries and an intricately painted ceiling.