Marveling at a Templar Church in Tomar, Portugal
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- Опубликовано: 6 окт 2024
- In this clip, I marvel happily about “discovering” something new - after all these years of travel.
It’s Day 56 of my 100-day trip to Europe, and I’m in Tomar, a delightful town in central Portugal with little tourism and an amazing history. It’s the hometown of our tour guide, Fatima, who was excited to splice a visit here into our regular itinerary. And I’m so impressed, I’m adding it to the next edition of our Rick Steves Portugal guidebook: store.rickstev...
Towering above this charming, workaday town is a castle with an Oz-like circular church (or “oratory”) built 800 years ago by the Knights Templar. The church (modeled after the Dome of the Rock or the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem) is where knights would go, often on horseback, to be blessed before battle as they defended Portugal against the Moors, protected pilgrims heading for the Holy Land, or just empowered Portugal in the age of discovery. After the Order of the Knights Templar was dissolved across Europe in 1312, the Order in Portugal simply morphed into the Order of Christ and carried on. Henry the Navigator was a Grand Master, and later, King Manuel (who became a Grand Master in 1484) ordered much building here. Under his leadership, the stout early-medieval castle was decorated in exquisite Manueline decor.
The Knights Templar was a rich organization. It was both a popular Christian charity and Europe’s first great bank - pilgrims gave money in the west, were given a “check,” and could make withdrawals along the way as they ventured east. If they died, which was common, the Templars kept their estate. (Always read the fine print!) The Templars - you could call them the first multinational corporation - built and managed about a thousand forts, stretching from Portugal all the way to Jerusalem.
To gape up at the majesty of the Templars’ church here in Tomar has been a highlight for me on my Rick Steves Heart of Portugal tour...and I hope we’ll find a way to make it a standard stop for future groups as well.
Rick -- It's been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1983. Yes, it's a stunning historical place, as is the city of Tomar. But, honestly, the fact that Tomar, the Templar Castle and the Convento de Cristo have never appeared in your Portugal guide is equally stunning. I will always buy the Rick Steves guide to every European country that I visit, and I will in the future. But when I visited Tomar and its sights, without Rick Steves' suggestion, I truly knew that I had discovered something special.
The lands that became Tomar, was a gift to the Knights Templar, from the king D.Afonso Henriques, in thanks for their part in the Reconquer of ancestral lands from the mighty Islamist King's that built glorious city states over several centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire.
Your sense of wonder is so inspiring. This reminded me that travel is a gift that never gets old and just keeps on giving
I couldn’t agree more with you! I’m an American, but I REALLY Love European Architecture, and also Arabic Architecture too! As a Union Boilermaker who takes great pride in the Craftsmanship that my brother’s produce. Has also taught me to like and respect any man that’s a blue collar worker be it today or 3,000 years ago. You just gotta respect anybody that believes in producing top quality work! I’m planning once this Coof Scare is Over to take me 6 weeks to travel throughout Europe
The castle of which that small chapel is a part is equally amazing.
Love the historical feel. Churches weren’t just religious centers, they were also the center of so many influencers beyond the church. Keepin on travelin
Muito bem. Portugal realmente tem qualquer coisa de sobrenatural, pequeno em território, em população, mas... danado em feitos que os próprios portugueses acham normais, não gostam de valorizar e nem de dar nas vistas, no entanto quando vistos à escala daquelas épocas, eram do outro mundo. Eu sou português mas até me assusto com tamanha coragem, pareciamos uns lobos com pele de carneiro, para mim o país é fundado por templários, é sem dúvida a união templária que consegue derrotar a espanha, conquistar o mundo e espalhar a fé cristã, enganar o papa sobre a criação da ordem de cristo, mantendo as fronteiras desde 1143! Não se esqueçam da cruz que nos é vulgar mas que é um simbolo único da ordem e está em todo o mundo português!
Never been to Tomar. You should check Óbidos. Small center inside a castle on the top of a hill with great views!
I love that era of Craftsmanship, and wished things was still built like this
I'm really enjoying these two minute vignettes! Missouri USA
Absolutely breathtakingly beautiful Rick. I truly envy as well as thank you.
*PURE ARTISTRY*
incredible
2 important facts..
1 Portugal is the 1st nation state in Europe created by the Knight Templars.
2 The Knight Templars didn't disappear..it was changed into " (The) Order of Christ" (soldiers, explorers, navigators).
Love from Pakistan!
This was fascinating.
Love the facial hair🤣 We’ve been watching your adventures for a long time. I’m in Tomar now. We just retired and are looking for a house in Portugal. Tune to slow down and soak up the culture of Europe. Thanks for showing us so much through the years!
Tanta bella historia detrás de las cámaras
WOW I want to go there now!!
Really remarkable, thank you))
Lovely!
Really magnificent.
Wonderful place! :-)
dude, this is cool
You should more of tomar
Same age as the city I was born to. Beautiful. They never knew their fate. They were with time, I think, cleared of their charges, but many had been murdered by that time, burned at the stake and so forth. I believe the order has resurfaced in America.
Sorry to have been sent back to this aged city for yet more unwelcome punishment. Gods speed to you. x
Lee Morris LOL. Okay.
Almost all over Europe the Templars were persecuted, tortured and killed, but not in Portugal and here a new order was born with the name (The Order of Christ) and the flag of this new order was carried on ships to everyone whole world
The templars and their big church. It shows how much money they had.
Or how much support they got from the local population!
Deus Vult!
First time I've seen you with a beard, look'n good. :) Mark from Bemidji, MN. home of the Paul Bunyan and the Big Blue Ox named Babe.
Sir, would you please move the camera slower? It looks wonderful.
You full beard knocked me off 😅
Go to Slovakia 🇸🇰
rick love the show but visit Iceland or a new euro country
please go to iran
You aren’t walking around like a loud American who thinks he owns the place. Good for you!
Don't be rude. What do americans have to do with this?
Temp.....laaaaar