The best MTB trails around Pias

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.

The Church of Saint John the Baptist (Portuguese: Igreja de São João Baptista) was built between the 15th and 16th centuries by King Manuel I in the Manueline style. As its name suggests, the church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. The church features many interesting artistic details, such as the flamboyant Gothic portal, the Manueline tower with a 16th-century clock, the decorated capitals of the interior columns of the nave, and several panels painted in the 1530s by one of Portugal's most important Renaissance artists, Gregório Lopes.

The Albufeira do Castelo do Bode is a large and spectacular reservoir, created by the dam of the same name on the Zêzere River. It is one of the largest reservoirs in the country and a popular destination for water activities such as swimming, sailing, canoeing and fishing. The surrounding landscape is characterised by green hills, forests and small picturesque villages, such as Dornes, that jut out into the water, creating a scene of great natural beauty. The reservoir is also an important ecosystem, home to several species of birds and fish.

Dornes is a truly enchanting village, a true hidden gem in Portugal, famous for its picturesque location on a peninsula that juts out into the spectacular Albufeira do Castelo do Bode. This large dam and the resulting lake create a breathtaking landscape, and Dornes is one of the most charming spots. The village is dominated by its iconic Pentagonal Tower, a unique medieval fortification that stands majestically offering panoramic views of the water and surrounding hills.

Church of St. John the Baptist

Typical monument near Tomar.

The statue of Dom Gualdim Pais, located in the center of Praça da República, honors one of the most important and emblematic figures in the history of the Templars in Portugal. Founder of the city of Tomar, he was born in the region of Braga, in 1118. The squire of D. Afonso Henriques fought alongside the Moors, being ordained knight by the monarch in the battlefield of Ourique in 1139. He then left for Palestine, where he remained for 5 years as a Knight of the Templar. In 1157, he returned to Portugal and was appointed Master of the Order of the Temple in Portugal, a position he held over 40 years. He died in Tomar in 1195 and is buried in the Church of Santa Maria dos Olivais, pantheon of the Temple teachers. - Tourism Tomar

Beautiful church in the center of Tomar.