We walked round on a rainy day. Loved the peace and uncluttered nature of this place. Modern signage and explanatory boards have been used sparingly. The round Templar chapel is awesome.
The amount of information visiting the Convent is overwhelming. Would I had some better historical background, I would probably profit much more from my visit. Any art student will salivate when seeing the articulation of different layers of art schools apparent in columns, walls, altars, construction design , ceilings, paintings. One can follow history throughout the way buildings are disposed. Jewels of Manuelin art , Corinthians chapiters, middle age façades live very close to Gothic ceilings, and religious paintings tells us more about its time of introductionOne can spend 3 hours without noticing the passing of time. Reading about it all beforehand is paramount for a good comprehension. I miscalculated the time to spend there, do not do the same mistake.
We visited this convent , while travelling in central portugal, and words only could not describe and reflect the beauty and majesty of this place, you must visit this superb icon of the templers.
A must see, impressive, and a lot of cloisters. The signage around the buildings were informative. The place has a lot of character, a good place to get an appreciation of the history.We bought a three ticket deal with this convent, Alcobaça and Batalha, well worth visiting all three.
Sitting on the top of a hill above Tomar, with a splendid view over the city on one side and the forest that stretches outwards across the hills on the other side, these buildings (castle and convent) exhale history and mystery. Some say it is here that the long lost treasure of the Templar's order is hidden.Gates, defensive walls, doorways, windows, corridors, staircases, courtyards, terraces, rooms, chapels,... boasting a profusion of both decorative and architectural styles that come together to form this impressive and massive building complex that we could consider to be a treasure in itself.
Interesting architecture on this historic building that was the Knights Templar headquarters in Portugal. Be sure to see the fascinating Manueline window and intricate detail on the building.
The Convento is one of those sort of places you can visit again and again and still enjoy- and see something missed last time. It has a tranquility and dignity that feels so calming. Even with a school trip group there is space enough for them all to be absorbed in the majesty of the building without disturbing the tranquility. Even when taking the fifth/sixth/seventh visiting guests to see the magnificent views and masonry work there is still joy to be found there. And when there are summer choral works performed in the cloisters open to the starlit night sky the atmosphere is just magical.
We enjoyed the visit, with a sunny sky, almost alone. The covent is amazing in size, place and beauty.
The order of Christ was the main support and coordinator of Portuguese maritime discoveries of 15th century, reflected on the architecture of the convent of Christ inside the castle, with a Roman Catholic Church where you find the precious charola (round church), one of the bests in Europe and the added nave with the emblematic Portuguese gothic chapterhouse window built under the Portuguese gothic style as the maritime stone decoration reveals. Inside the convent you find. Also unusual it is the quantities of cloisters.World Heritage of UNESCO since 1983.
Amazing Gardens that takes you back to the times of the Templars as you wander around and look for hidden treasures... In the hope to find the Holy Grail...