CENTER OF PORTUGAL
Tomar|Fátima
04th till 06th March
04th March, Friday
09H00 – Departure to Tomar
11H00–Check-in Hotel dos Templários****
11H30 – Visit to the Historic Centre of Tomar
Tomar, known as the city of the Templars, reveals other traces of their influence, particularly the Sete Montes Park, where traditionally rites of initiation are said to have taken place, and the Church of Santa Maria do Olival, founded by the Templars in the 12th century and containing the tombs of various Masters of the Order.The Order of the Templars was suppressed in France in the early 14th century, but in Portugal it was transformed into the Order of Christ on the initiative of King Dom Dinis. This was subsequently approved by the Pope, and it was decided that the immense wealth they possessed should pass to the Order of Christ, which came to play an important part in the historic Portuguese Discoveries.
13H00 – Lunch at Restaurant Casa das Ratas
15H00 - Visit to Conventof ChristUNESCO WORLD HERITAGE
The Convent of Christ In 1983, UNESCO awarded the classification of world heritage to the Templar Castle and the Convent of the Knights of Christ in Tomar, a unique monument in the history of the western world. Built on a site that was originally used for Roman worship, this vast monumental complex illustrates seven centuries of Portugal’s history and contains several important mementoes of decisive moments in the history of the western world.
The Order of the Temple was disbanded in 1314 as a result of its persecution by the French king Philip IV, the Fair. However, at the wishes of the Portuguese king D. Dinis, the members of the order, its property and privileges were all totally integrated into a new order – the Militia of the Knights of Christ in 1319. The Templars were thus able to continue their sacred mission of Chivalry in Portugal. Outwardly, the main sign marking the change was to be seen in the Order’s cross, which now had straight arms instead of the curved arms of the Templar cross.
Rest Time
20H00 – Dinner – Restaurant of Hotel dos Templários
05th March
09H00 – Departure to Fátima
09H45 – Visit to the Sanctuary
With its origins deep in history, it was during the Arabian occupation that this settlement developed and was named. According to legend, during the Christian Reconquest, the Templar knight Gonçalo Hermingues, also known as Bringer-of-Moors, fell in love with Fátima, a Moor captured in the course of an ambush. Reciprocating the love, the young woman converted to Christianity and adopted the name Oureana.In the sixteenth century, the settlement became a parish in the collegiate church of Ourém within the Diocese of Leiria. Its subsequent development dates from the events known as the Apparitions of Fátima, in the early part of the twentieth century. It has become one of the key centers for the Cult of the Virgin Mary in Portugal and has been recognised world-wide by the Catholic Church. The first apparition took place in 1917, in Cova da Iria, at the site of the current Sanctuary. The most important celebrations are held on 13th May (including the Candlelit Procession on the night of the 12th and the Farewell Procession closing the event on the 13th) and 13th October.
13H00 – Lunch and visit – Hotel Estrela de Fátima****
15H00 – Departure to Batalha
15H30 – Visit to Batalha Monastery
The town of Batalha developed alongside the Monastery of Santa Maria de Vitória, constructed in 1386 to keep a vow by Portuguese King Dom João I to the Virgin Mary that he would build it if Portugal defeated Castile at the Battle of Aljubarrota on 14th August 1385. Extravagant celebrations commemorating this victory are held next to the monastery in August of every year.The Monastery of Batalha, a masterpiece of Portuguese Gothic, is a magnificent piece of architecture that combines various influences from its lengthy period of construction, which lasted several reigns. Outstanding in the interior are the Founders’ Chapel with its fine stained-glass windows, the cloisters, the Unfinished Chapels with their Manueline and Flemish Gothic features and the Chapter House.
17H30 – Depature to Tomar
Rest Time
20H00 – Dinner – Restaurant A Bela Vista
06th March
09H30 – Departure to Constância
Visit to Almourol Castle
The Castle of Almourol is regarded as Portugal’s most beautiful castle!Situated on a small cliffy island in the middle of the Tagus River, Almourol Castle is one of the most significant military Medieval monuments, which best evokes the memory of the Knights Templar in Portugal.The origins of the occupation of this place are quite mysterious, but in 1129 the castle already existed and it was called Almorolan. Under the ruling of the Knights Templar the castle was rebuilt and it still presents today the main artistic and architectural features of that time. The main door shows the date of the castle’s foundation: 1171.
With the extinction of the Order of the Knights Templar in Portugal the castle was somehow abandoned. It was not until the 19th century that the castle was reinvented according to a Romanticism ideal of the Medieval flair.
11H30 – Departure to Peniche
13h00 – Lunch and Visit – Hotel Soleil Peniche
15H30 - Departure to Lisbon
Information
Accommodation
Hotel dos Templários
Largo Cândido dos Reis, 1
2304-909 Tomar
Ph: + 351 249 310 100
Restaurants
Restaurant Casa das Ratas
Rua Dr. Joaquim Jacinto, nº 6
2300-577 Tomar
Phl: 351 249 315 237
E-mail:
Restaurant of Hotel dos Templários****
Largo Cândido dos Reis, 1
2304-909 Tomar
Ph: + 351 249 310 100
Restaurant of Hotel Estrela de Fátima****
Rua Cónego Formigão
2496-908 Fátima
Ph: +351 249 531 150
E-mail:
Restaurant A Bela Vista
R. Marquês de Pombal
2300-510 Tomar
Ph: +351 249 312 870
Restaurant of Hotel Soleil Peniche***
Estrada do Baleal
2520-206 Peniche
Ph: +351 262 780 400
E-mail:
Visits
Convent of ChristUNESCO World Heritage
2300 Tomar
Ph: +351 249 313 434
E-mail:
Fátima Sanctuary
2496-908 Fátima
Ph.: +351 249 539 600
E-mail:
Batalha MonasteryUNESCO World Heritage
Largo Infante D. Henrique
2440-109 Batalha
Ph: + 351 244 765 497
E-mail:
Almourol Castle
Praia do Ribatejo
Vila Nova da Barquinha
TCP/ARPT Centro de Portugal
Casa Amarela — Largo de Sta. Cristina
3500-181 Viseu - Portugal
tel: +351 232 432 032
fax: +351 232 432 030
e-mail: