The Convent of Christ is a monastery and castle on a hill above the city of Tomar, founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, Master of the Knights Templar in Portugal, and later the seat of the Order of Christ. Built from the 12th to the 18th centuries, it combines a Templar castle, a round church, a Manueline church and Renaissance cloisters inside the same walls.
The convent is a National Monument since 1910 and a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1983.
What to see at the Convent of Christ
- Charola: the round church of the Templars, begun in 1160 and completed at the end of the 12th century, which served as their private oratory.
- Manueline church: the nave added to the west of the Charola at the start of the 16th century for King Manuel I, by the architects Diogo de Arruda and João de Castilho.
- Chapter House window: a window on the west façade carved by Diogo de Arruda between 1510 and 1513, with ropes, coral, plants, an armillary sphere and the cross of the Order of Christ.
- Portal: the Manueline portal of the church, by João and Diogo de Castilho, with statues of the Virgin and Child and of prophets.
- Cloister of King João III: the main Renaissance cloister, built after the king turned the convent into an enclosed monastery.
- Templar castle: the walls and keep of the castle of 1160, which enclose the convent.
- Pegões Aqueduct: an aqueduct of about six kilometres that brought water to the convent, built from the end of the 16th century.
History of the Convent of Christ
- 1160: Gualdim Pais founds the castle of Tomar and moves the seat of the Templars in Portugal there, and the Charola is begun.
- 1162: Gualdim Pais grants Tomar its charter.
- 1319: after the Pope dissolves the Templars, King Dinis creates the Order of Christ, which receives their property.
- 15th century: Prince Henry the Navigator governs the Order of Christ, whose income helps fund the Portuguese voyages.
- Early 16th century: King Manuel I extends the Charola with the Manueline church.
- 16th century: King João III turns the convent into an enclosed monastery and adds the Renaissance cloisters.
- 1834: the religious orders are dissolved.
- 1910: the convent is classified as a National Monument.
- 1983: UNESCO inscribes the Convent of Christ on the World Heritage List.
Visiting the Convent of Christ
- Area: the convent and castle occupy about 5 hectares, inside about 45 hectares with the surrounding woodland, the Mata dos Sete Montes.
- Works: the monument is under phased restoration, and some areas may be closed.
- Tickets: the Convent of Christ publishes current opening times and prices.
