TomarSights

Other sights in Tomar

  1. A

    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.

    reviewed

  2. B

    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.

    reviewed

  3. C

    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.

    reviewed

  4. D

    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.

    reviewed

  5. Núcleo de Arte Contemporânea

    This recently opened museum showcases the work of modern artists from all over Portugal.

    reviewed