Why Tomar in central Portugal

Tomar is a Templar town and this is apparent everywhere you go. Tomar is more geared up for tourists than most of the towns in this area, although that is changing apace. The most impressive building by far is Tomar castle more correctly called the Convento de Cristo and dominates the skyline from many directions.
The whole complex is a UNESCO world heritage site one of only seven in Portugal. The knights Templar who where founded by King Baldwin 1 of France in the year 1118 during the first crusade. The Knights where instrumental in fighting the Moors in Portugal and in fact Spain, for this they where handsomely rewarded with titles lands and castles.
In 1162 grand master Gualda Pais a close friend of Prince Afonso Henriques built a fortress church, it became the HQ in Portugal and the first part of what was to become the Convento de Cristo.
As you walk through this labyrinth of passageways and rooms it is easy to take a journey back in time and live a little in their footsteps. Or walk in the gardens and imagine fine ladies courted by Knights of many empires, darker thoughts lie in looking over the battlements at the imposing job of any would be attackers.
In 1249 the Moors where finally driven from Portugal and the Templar lands wealth and power grew until half the Monarchies of Europe were fearful of there positions.
King Philippe Le Bel of France having seemingly had enough of the Knights and perhaps in need of a boost to the royal coffers confiscated all Templar property in France. Pope Clement clearly thought this a good idea and disbanded the order.
Driven from Spain and France they sought refuge in Portugal now the ruler Dom Dinis being an obedient catholic outlawed the Templar but immediately started a new order the Knights of Christ.Tomar soon became their HQ and fifty years later Henry the navigator built a fleet of ships with the orders now vast wealth and set out to explore what was soon to become Portugal’s great empire.
The whole complex built over several hundred years is without question the finest castle I have ever visited. I take all my visiting friends and family their and never tire of its magnificence, whether it be the huge Imposing entrance the intricate Manueline window the ornately decorated inner Templar chapel or the amazing decorative ceilings, the beautiful gardens or the sheer size and scale of it all it is simply magnificent.
Tomar itself is a very pretty town and always reminds me of my home town of Shrewsbury with its river dividing the old town from the new. The town square is a delight with a 17th century Town Hall and town houses then there is the church Sao Juao Baptista 1510 there are many cafes and restaurants in the streets around. A very old synagogue still stands with a dark history of its own. The Hotels are of a good standard and well priced, eating out is both rewarding and easy on the pocket.
Property here is without doubt about to take an upward turn with infrastructure being built linking Lisbon Porto and Coimbra together coupled with marinas and ambitious plans for tourism it is easy to predict a serious upturn in thenear future. www.perfectportugalproperty.co.uk

Article Source: http://www.real-estate-article-directory.com

Tomar in central Portugal steeped in history and full of promise for investors and travellers alike. www.perfectportugalproperty.co.uk

Please Rate this Article

5 out of 54 out of 53 out of 52 out of 51 out of 5 

Not yet Rated