Convent of Christ (Tomar)

The Convent of Christ of Tomar (), also called Convent of Christ () or Monastery of Christ (), is a former Catholic convent in Tomar, Portugal.

Originally a 12th-century Templar stronghold, when the order was dissolved in the 14th century the Portuguese branch was turned into the Knights of the Order of Christ, that later supported Portugal's maritime discoveries of the 15th century. The Castle and Convent of Christ in Tomar[https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/265] is a historic and cultural monument and was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983.

History

thumb|right|Floorplan of the church of the Convent of Christ. The Templar round church (late 12th century) is indicated in red, while the manueline nave (early 16th century) is in blue.

Templars

The castle was founded by the Order of Poor Knights of the Temple (or Templar Knights) in 1118. Its construction continued until the final part of the 12th century with the construction of the oratory, in one of the angles of the castle, completed by the Grand Master D. Gualdim Pais (sometime around 1160).