From Lisbon: Full Day Tour To The Templar Knights Historical Sites

We start this awesome medieval journey towards Almourol Castle, one of Portugal’s trademarks and most famous ‘postcards’ in the country. Erected 18m (60 ft) above sea level this small granite island has 310m (1.000 ft) long by 75m (245 ft) wide in the middle of the Tagus River waterway. The castle is an incredible sight, one of the most representative examples of the military architecture of the 12th century.

Afterwards we continue to Constância, a small charming village where Luis de Camões (one of the most famous Portuguese poets) lived and used to write some of his lyrical poems until we reach Tomar, a land given as a fief to the Templars. It was especially important in the 15th century when it was a center for Portuguese overseas expansion under Henry the Navigator, the Grand Master of the Order of Christ, the organization that succeeded the Templars in Portugal. In here we can visit the Church of Santa Maria do Olival, the headquarters of the Knights Templar and a pantheon of all Grand Masters.

We finish this day in a great fashion: The Convent of Christ is a magnificent monument, a Templar stronghold back in the day, constructed under the orders of Gualdim Paes and now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.