A Trip to Tomar in Portugal
General
The city of Tomar in Portugal is located 138 km northeast of Lisbon, about an hour and a half drive away, and is a recommended destination for a day trip from Lisbon, as well as a stop on the way between Lisbon and Porto or the Serra mountains.
Tomar is a small city with around 20,000 residents. The city is packed with impressive and unique tourist attractions, all within an easy walking distance from one another. You can park your car at the entrance to the city (free parking!) and walk to the Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site), the ancient synagogue, Mouchão Park with its impressive gardens and waterfalls, and of course Republic Square (Praça da República), which is the city's main square, and the pedestrian street that connects it to the river flowing throughout the town: the Nabão River.
Guided Tours in Tomar from Viator:
(One starts in Tomar and two depart from Lisbon)
Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo)
This is undeniably the main tourist site in the city and one of the most popular attractions in all of Portugal.
The Convent of Christ in Tomar:
The first settlement in Tomar began at the Convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo) in the 12th century. It is a massive complex built by the Knights Templar as a fortress meant to protect its inhabitants from the Moors, housing numerous halls, courtyards, and rooms within, including, of course, a large church. Do not miss touring this huge, beautiful, and impressive complex, which was granted UNESCO World Heritage status. The convent is situated on a high hill overlooking the newer city and the entire surrounding area. You can reach the fortress either on foot from the historic city center or drive up by car.
The Convent of Christ in Tomar:
At the start of the path leading down from the Convent of Christ toward the old town, it is recommended to stop by the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, which offers a beautiful scenic view of the entire city of Tomar.
Nossa Senhora da Conceição Chapel:
The Synagogue of Tomar
The synagogue was built by the Jewish community between 1430 and 1460, during a period when the community flourished in the area. The building served the Jews until the end of the 15th century, when no Jews remained after being forced to convert to Christianity. Since then, the property changed hands over centuries until it was acquired in 1923 by a Polish Jew who restored it and donated it to the state on the condition that it be turned into a museum. Today, it houses several exhibits, stone tablets with Hebrew inscriptions, and a number of Judaica artifacts donated by private individuals. A short film detailing the history of the region's Jewish community is screened on site. Today, the museum/synagogue is named after Abraham Zacuto, who lived during that era (for a period in Tomar at the Convent of Christ) and was a renowned mathematician and astronomer who assisted Vasco da Gama with navigation on his global voyages.
The ancient synagogue in Tomar:
St. John the Baptist Church
The church is located in Republic Square in Tomar, opposite City Hall. This is the city's central square, and at its center stands a statue of Gualdim Pais, the founder of the city of Tomar who built the Convent of Christ.
St. John the Baptist Church and the statue of Gualdim Pais, founder of the city:
City Hall in Republic Square in Tomar:
Mouchão Park (Park Mouchão)
Flowing through the center of the city is the Nabão River, featuring long, picturesque waterfalls, a small weir, and an adjacent green park with walking paths. The end of the main pedestrian walkway on Rua Serpa Pinto leads directly into the lovely park, while looking down the other end reveals the Convent of Christ. Inside the park is a large cafe overlooking the waterfalls.
Waterfalls in the center of Tomar:
Rua Serpa Pinto pedestrian street in Tomar, with the Convent of Christ visible at its end:
