Tomar

Tomar is a city of 41,000 people (2011) in Ribatejo, Portugal. Tomar is one of Portugal's historical jewels and, more significantly, was the last Templar town to be commissioned for construction.

Understand

Legend of Santa Iria Iria, a young woman, as rich in physical as in moral gifts, had a religious education in the Benedictine convent of Santa Clara. When the young woman reached adolescence, the Benedictine abbot, her maternal uncle, entrusted her education to the monk Remígio, who he considered worthy of such a delicate mission. She would early gather the sympathy of the nuns and the people of the village, especially the young men and gentlemen, who disputed among themselves the virtues of the novice; among whom stood out the young Britaldo who, surrendered to so much beauty, fell madly in love. Because she intended to dedicate her life to the service of God, she always rejected his loving proposals. Britaldo, mad with love, fell ill. Iria, moved by Christian charity, comforted him and convinced him of the impossibility of their marriage, as she had taken a vow of chastity. The monk Remígio was aware of Britaldo's loves, and also not indifferent to the maiden's beauty. Mad with jealousy, the monk made Iria drink a potion, provoking signs of pregnancy. Britaldo, considering himself deceived, commissioned his subordinate to kill Iria. And so, on October 20, 653, when Iria prayed her prayers devoutly in a small chapel by the river Nabão, the vile sicario buried a dagger in her chest, throwing her body into the waters. Iria's body, according to legend, went downstream, ending up at Scalabis. From then on, Scalabis took the name of the Holy Virgin and Martyr, Sant'Iria, today Santarém.

The town of Tomar (too-MAHR, /tu.ˈmaɾ/) was born inside the walls of the Convento de Cristo, constructed under the orders of Gualdim de Pais, the fourth grand master of the Knights Templar, in the late 12th century.

Tomar was especially important in the 15th century when it was a center of Portuguese overseas expansion under Henry the Navigator, the Grand Master of the Order of Christ, successor organization to the Templars in Portugal.

Get in

By train

From Lisbon: there is hourly direct train from Lisbon (Santa Apolônia/Oriente), about 2 hr, €8.40.

From Porto: several per day, about 3½ hr, €19, need to change in Entrocamento or Lamarosa/Coimbra B.

By bus

There are two bus companies that connect Tomar: Rede Expressos and Rodoviária do Tejo.

By car

Tomar is just over 1 hour from Lisbon. Coming from north or south, the A1 is the most direct route. At km94, take the A23 exit, follow this road until you see the sign for Tomar on the IC3. 5 to 10 minutes later you will see the exit sign for Tomar on the N110. Go there and in a few minutes you will reach your destination.

Get around

On foot

It is a small city.

By bus

There is also citybus, 2 lines, €1/ticket valid for 1 hr.

See

Tomar is a small city but holds an important ancient past and some of the most important monuments in Portugal.

Landmarks

Castle and Convent of the Knights Templar of Tomar (transferred in 1344 to the Knights of the Order of Christ)

Church of Saint Mary of Olival, burial place for the Knights Templar of Tomar

The streets and squares of the picturesque centre of Tomar are organised following a chessboard pattern, a rare feature for a mediaeval city, instituted by Prince Henry the Navigator, which later inspired the pattern used for the rebuilding of Lisbon after the earthquake in 1755. Scattered throughout the town there are many interesting houses with Renaissance, Baroque and Romantic façades. By the river Nabão, near the bridge, there is a park and garden that offer nice views of the city and surroundings.

• 1 Convent of Christ and Castle of Tomar (Convento de Cristo and Castelo de Tomar). UNESCO World Heritage Site built in 12th century. After the Order of the Knights Templar was dissolved in the 14th century, the Portuguese branch of the order was turned into the Knights of the Order of Christ, which supported Portugal's maritime discoveries of the 15th century. Entrance €6, free on Sundays and holidays till 14:00.  
• 2 Church of Santa Maria do Olival. It was built in the second half of the 12th century by the provincial master of the Order of the Knights Templar in Portugal, Gualdim Pais. (updated Apr 2018)
• Church of Saint John the Baptist and Republic Square, this church was built in the end of the 15th century, marked as National Monument in 1910 and is in Republica Square where is Gualdim Pais statue.
• Aqueduct of Pegões, (Quinta dos Pegões), it was built to deliver water to Convento de Cristo and has 6 km of extension. The construction started in 1593 and finished in 1614. The highest point of this aqueduct is 30 m above ground level. Take the small "train tour bus" in city center that takes you to the highest point. The easiest way to go to aqueduct is to follow the local road to Leiria.
• 3 Synagogue of Tomar. It is the best preserved of the medieval synagogues of Portugal. It is located in the historic centre of the city of Tomar, and houses a small Jewish Museum. (updated Apr 2018)
• Museum of Matches (Museu dos Fósforos), Av. Gen. Bernardo Faia, near railway station. Surprisingly nice exhibition of matchboxes from all over the world. Open daily 14:00-17:00, free entrance.

Festivals

• Festa dos Tabuleiros. It is a festival organized every 4 years during summer (beginning of July). The next one is in 2027. It an old tradition and in every event, Tomar becomes completely crowded and visitors can enjoy original decoration of streets, music concerts, traditional gastronomy and of course the main part of festival of trays parade. (updated Aug 2023)

Eat

Local food specialities include Fatias de Tomar, and Beija-me depressa ("kiss me quickly") made by the Estrelas Confeitery.

• 1 Cervejaria do Fernando, Rua da Silva Magalhães 47, ☏ +351 249 314 014. Tu–Su 12:00–00:00, closed M. Serves typical Portuguese meals. about €6. (updated Jun 2021)
• 2 Chez Gilbert, Rua da Silva Magalhães 45, ☏ +351 926 143 902. F 19:00–22:00, Sa–Tu 12:00–15:00 & 19:00–22:00, closed W Th. French and Continental cuisine. €12-59. (updated Jun 2021)
• 3 Taverna Antiqua, Praça da República 23-25, ☏ +351 249 311 236, tavernaantiqua@gmail.com. Tu–Su 12:00–22:30, closed M. Medieval-themed restaurant. €12-20. (updated Jun 2021)

Drink

• 1 Café Paraíso, Rua Serpa Pinto 127, ☏ +351 249 312 997. Tu–Sa 08:00–16:00, Su 08:00–19:00, closed M. On the main street, it's the oldest bar in the city. (updated Jun 2021)

Sleep

Budget

• 1 Residencial União, Rua Serpa Pinto 94, ☏ +351 249 323 161. Breakfast included. No credit cards accepted. Single room €20-28, double €30-45, triple €45-50. 
• 2 Residencial Luz, Rua Serpa Pinto 144, ☏ +351 249 312 317, info@residencialluz.com. Single €17-20, double €22.50-32.50. 
• 3 Residencial Cavaleiros de Cristo, Rua Alexandre Herculano 7, ☏ +351 249 321 203, +351 249 321 067. Three-star. Single €30, double €50, 4-bed room €80. 

Splurge

• 4 Hotel dos Templários, Largo Cândido dos Reis 1, ☏ +351 249 310 100, geral@hoteldostemplarios.pt. Four-star. 

Go next

• Fátima (Sanctuary of Our Lady) – Place of the worldwide famous Marian apparitions.
• Batalha (Monastery)
• Alcobaça (Monastery)
• Nazaré (Beach of the Guinness Book Records big waves surfed)