Most people come to Tomar for the Knights Templar. They leave remembering the stories.
Hidden symbols carved into ancient stone. A missing body mystery inside a church. A skull displayed in public. Medieval accusations of blood rituals. Secret Jewish history hidden in plain sight. Gates so soaked in violence locals still call them “The Bloody Gates”.
Tomar is one of the most extraordinary small towns in Portugal — but unless someone shows you where to look, you’ll walk straight past its greatest secrets.
I’ve spent years guiding visitors through these streets, and these are the stories that make people stop walking and simply stare.
Here are seven of the strangest mysteries in Tomar… without giving too much away.
1. The Mystery of the Missing Bodies Beneath the Church
There’s a church in Tomar connected to the Knights Templar that should contain the remains of some of Portugal’s most important medieval figures.
But there’s a problem.
Some of the tombs are empty.
Others don’t seem to contain who people think they do.
And there are persistent local whispers about bodies being moved in secret during times of invasion and political chaos.
The deeper you look into Tomar’s churches, the stranger things become.
On the walking tour, I’ll show you exactly where the mystery begins — and why historians still argue about it today.
2. The Secret Symbols Hidden Inside the Templar Church
Thousands of visitors walk through Tomar’s famous Templar church every year without noticing them.
Tiny marks.
Strange carvings.
Symbols scratched quietly into pillars and stonework centuries ago.
Some people believe they were left by stonemasons. Others think they marked secret workers’ guilds. A few believe they point toward hidden knowledge carried across Europe by the Templars themselves.
Once you see them, you can’t unsee them.
And suddenly the church starts feeling less like a monument… and more like a code.
3. The Two Jews Accused of Blood Libel
One of the darkest stories in Tomar begins with a terrible accusation.
In medieval Europe, Jews were sometimes falsely accused of horrific religious crimes — accusations that often led to imprisonment, torture or death.
Tomar has its own forgotten version of this story.
It reveals how fear, religion and politics could turn neighbours against one another almost overnight.
Most tourists never hear this history.
But understanding it changes how you see the city forever.
4. Why Does Tomar Have a Synagogue?
At first glance, it seems strange.
Why would a small inland Portuguese town contain one of the oldest synagogues in Portugal?
The answer lies in money, astronomy, medicine, trade… and survival.
For a period, Tomar became home to an influential Jewish community working under the shadow of the Templars and later the Portuguese crown.
But the story takes a darker turn after 1496.
Forced conversions. Secret worship. Fear of informers.
And whispers that some families never truly disappeared at all.
5. The Skull on Public Display
Yes, there really is a human skull in Tomar connected to one of the city’s strangest legends.
People walk past it every day without realising the story behind it.
Depending on who you ask, the skull belongs to:
- a saint,
- a criminal,
- or someone involved in a miracle.
The truth is murky.
Which, of course, makes the story even better.
6. Why Are They Called “The Bloody Gates”?
Tomar’s castle was built to defend Portugal’s frontier during a brutal period of medieval warfare.
One entrance became infamous.
Locals still refer to it as “The Bloody Gates”.
But why?
Some say it was where invaders were slaughtered.
Others claim executions took place nearby.
And there are stories — impossible to fully prove — involving severed heads displayed as warnings.
When you stand there in silence, it’s not difficult to imagine the fear these walls once
7. So… Who Actually Knows These Stories?
That’s the real question.
Because guidebooks rarely tell you this side of Tomar.
Most visitors see beautiful churches, old streets and castle walls.
But the city only truly comes alive when someone starts telling the stories hidden underneath it all.
I’ve spent years researching Tomar’s strange history, the Templars, the Jewish community, ghost stories, executions, symbols, scandals and forgotten legends and turning them into an entertaining walking tour that people remember long after they leave Portugal.
Not a lecture.
Not dates and facts read from Wikipedia.
A proper story-driven experience through one of the most fascinating towns in Europe.
Experience Tomar Differently
If you want:
- hidden history,
- strange mysteries,
- dark stories,
- local legends,
- Templar secrets,
- and the kind of details most tourists miss completely…
then join Tomar’s Most Entertaining Walking Tour.
You’ll never look at the city the same way again. Visit the storyteller of Tomar
👉 [BOOK YOUR TOMAR WALKING TOUR HERE]
Or explore at your own pace with my self-guided Portugal audio tours featuring Tomar, Lagos, Faro and Porto.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tomar worth visiting?
Absolutely. Tomar is one of Portugal’s most underrated historic towns, famous for the Knights Templar, convents, castle and medieval streets.
How long is the Tomar walking tour?
Most tours last around 2/3 hours and include the old town, hidden corners and stories you won’t find in guidebooks.
Is the tour suitable for solo travellers?
Yes, many solo travellers join, especially people interested in history, storytelling and unusual places.
Do I need to know Templar history beforehand?
Not at all. The tour is designed for complete beginners as well as history lovers.
Is Tomar safe to walk around?
Tomar is considered one of the safest and friendliest towns in Portugal.