Sights in Tomar
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A
Charola
Thought to be in imitation of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, the 16-sided charola dominates the Convento de Cristo complex. The interior is otherworldly in its vast heights - an awesome combination of simple forms and rich embellishment. It's said that the circular design enabled the nights to attend mass on horseback. In the centre stands an eerily gothic high altar, like a temple within a temple. Restored wall paintings date from the early 16th century.
A huge funnel to the left is an ancient organ pipe (the organ itself is long gone). Dom Manuel was responsible for tacking the nave on to the west side of the Charola and for commissioning the architect D…
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B
Igreja de São João Baptista
The old town’s most striking church faces Praça da República, itself an eye-catching ensemble of 17th-century buildings. The recently restored church dates mostly from the late 15th century. It has an octagonal spire and richly ornamented Manueline doorways on its northern and western sides. Inside are 16th- and 17th-century azulejos; Gregório Lopes, one of 16th-century Portugal’s finest artists, painted the six panels hanging inside.
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C
Museu Luso-Hebraico Abraham Zacuto
On a charming cobbled lane in the old town, you’ll find the country’s best-preserved medieval synagogue. Built between 1430 and 1460, it was used for only a few years, until Dom Manuel’s convert-or-leave edict of 1496 forced most Jews to do the latter. The synagogue subsequently served as a prison, chapel, hayloft and warehouse until it was classified as a national monument in 1921.
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D
Museu Dos Fósforos
This museum, reached via the lovely courtyard of the Convento de São Francisco, contains Europe’s largest collection of matchboxes. Amassed by local ‘phillumenist’ Aquiles da Mota Lima, the 40,000-plus matchboxes from countries around the world depict everything from bullfighters to bathing beauties, and from dinosaurs to French cuisine.
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E
Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição
Downhill from the monastery sits the strikingly simple, small, pure Renaissance basilica, Igreja de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, built in the 16th century. It's believed to have been designed by Diogo de Torralva, who is also responsible for the Convento cloisters. At the time of writing it was closed for restoration.
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F
Convento de Cristo
The monastery was founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Templars. It has chapels, cloisters and chapter houses in widely diverging styles, added over the centuries by successive kings and Grand Masters. You can follow a short route (45 minutes) or take a more comprehensive 90-minute tour.
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G
Aqueduto de Pegões
The impressive Aqueduto de Pegões, striding towards the monastery from the northwest, was built from 1593 to 1613, to supply water to thirsty monks. Its 180 arches, some of which are double-decker, are thought to have been designed by Italian Filippo Terzi. It's best seen just off the Leiria road, 2.3km from town.
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Núcleo de Arte Contemporânea
This recently opened museum showcases the work of modern artists from all over Portugal.
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