If you’re ever wandering the delightful streets of Tomar (and really, why wouldn’t you be?), there’s one sight you simply can’t miss: the Convent of Christ and its adjoining medieval masterpiece, Tomar Castle. And oh, what a tale this fortress has to tell.
First, let’s talk about the Templars, because every good castle needs a band of mysterious, slightly broody knights, right? Back in the 12th century, these fellas were no mere sword-waving, Holy Grail-chasing wanderers. No, they were serious fortress builders, and under the orders of Portugal’s first king, Afonso I, they rolled up their sleeves, gathered their stonemasons, and got to work. The result? Tomar Castle, finished in 1160, a place designed to withstand just about anything that could be thrown at it—including one heck of a siege.Which brings us to the drama. In 1190, a somewhat irritated man by the name of Abu Yusuf al-Mansur—commander of the Almohads—decided he’d quite like to add Tomar to his collection of conquests.
A siege commenced.
But, spoiler alert, the Templars were having none of it. Led by their Grand Master, Gualdim Pais, they hunkered down behind these walls and turned the Almohads away with nothing but a few dents in the masonry. Apparently, stone walls and Templar stubbornness make for a great defense.
Now, if you’re the sort of tourist who enjoys sweeping views, you’ll love the climb to the castle’s ramparts. From up there, you can imagine the siege in all its medieval chaos—knights with crossbows, battering rams, and probably quite a bit of shouting. And if you squint, you might even see a few echoes of Gualdim Pais pacing the walls, wondering just how many more sieges he’d have to deal with in his lifetime.But it’s not all sieges and sword fights. Over the centuries, the castle expanded and got some Renaissance flair when King Manuel I decided it needed a bit of a facelift. You know, to keep things fashionable in the castle world.
Today, the Convent of Christ, with its intricate carvings and eye-popping Manueline architecture, is a UNESCO World Heritage site.So, if you like your castles with a side of history, mystery, and a dash of siege action, Tomar Castle is well worth the visit. And if you find yourself standing by those ancient walls and feel a sudden urge to defend a fortress, don’t worry—it’s just the spirit of the place.
Yes, I take travellers up there daily and explain how castles were built and how soldiers defended their position.