The best walks and hikes around Formigais

old roman bridge

The Sanctuary of Fatima, in central Portugal, is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in the world. Basilica of Our Lady of the Rosary Neo-Baroque style, with a 65-meter tower crowned by a large cross. It houses the tombs of the three shepherd children: Lucia, Francisco, and Jacinta. Chapel of the Apparitions Marks the exact spot where the Virgin Mary appeared in 1917. An intimate space, frequently visited by pilgrims to pray and light candles. Basilica of the Holy Trinity Inaugurated in 2007, with modern architecture and a capacity for more than 8,000 people. It contrasts with the classical style of the Basilica of the Rosary. Sanctuary Esplanade Large square where Masses and processions are held, especially on May 13 and October 13.

where to find peace

well-kept gardens

The Praça da República and the Igreja Matriz de São João Baptista are the historical and cultural heart of Tomar, a city deeply linked to the history of the Knights Templar in Portugal. This square is the nerve center of Tomar, surrounded by historic buildings and offering a charming atmosphere.

This impressive window is part of the Manueline Church and Chapter House of Manuel I. The Manueline church nave is adorned, both inside and out, with lush symbolic, heraldic, and sacred sculptures. All architectural elements – corner basins, pinnacles, buttresses, windows, etc. – are characterized by figurative motifs of deep plasticity that conceal their architectural and structural function. The most striking example of this formal design are the windows of the Manueline church. Originally there were three, today two remain: The second window, facing south, is visible from the main cloister; the other, on the west facade, is known as the Janela do Capítulo. This window is flanked by two huge buttresses and is adorned with a lush world of figures that includes maritime themes (wood, rigging, buoys, etc.), the insignia of the Order (the heraldic cross, the armillary sphere, the coat of arms of the kingdom), and symbolic figures characteristic of the mysticism of spiritual knighthood and the mission of the Order of Christ in the Discoveries. http://www.conventocristo.gov.pt/pt/index.php?s=white&pid=187&identificador=ct116_pt From the inside, the window appears rather unremarkable.

At the beginning of the 16th century, King Manuel I, drawing on the existing Charola of the Templars in the area of Castelo de Tomar, had this magnificent Manueline church building erected, transforming the Charola into a chapel of his conventual church. To this end, he had the Charola broken open to the west and the opening adorned with a triumphal arch, conceived and built by Joo de Castilho in 1515. The narrow church area that resulted behind the magnificent portal subsequently served as the choir and stage. The Manueline nave has a unified space, covered by a lowered ribbed vault with corbels. The altar portal is full of grotesques, plant elements, and large statues. The three windows, friezes, and balustrades of the Manueline corpus feature plant, emblem, and grotesque decorations. I was surprised by how simply the imposing entrance portal and the famous Manueline window to the west present themselves inside the church.

The monastery complex served to welcome visitors to the Convento de Cristo