Things to do in Tomar

Tomar was founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, master of the Knights Templar in Portugal, who built the castle and the round church known as the Charola. When the Templars were dissolved, King Dinis created the Order of Christ in 1319 to inherit their lands. Under Prince Henry the Navigator the Order helped finance the voyages of discovery, which is why its red cross sailed on Portuguese caravels. The Convent of Christ is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.