The Templars Private Tour from Lisbon

Itinerary
This is a typical itinerary for this product

Stop At: Magnificat Tours, Av. Republica 6 - 7ESQ, Lisbon 1050-191 Portugal

Start the day at your hotel in Lisbon, where a the driver will meet you in the morning. Set off for three significant historical monuments built by the Templars, also known as Knights Templars, Poor Fellow-Soldiers of Christ, or the Temple of Solomon.

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Castelo de Ourem, Estrada Nacional 356 Nossa Senhora das Misericórdias, Ourem 2490-781 Portugal

The town of Ourém, home to a historic medieval castle. After spending time exploring the castle - very amazing views and sightseeing points - get back in the car for a 45-minute drive to nearby Tomar.

Physically challenging walking and hiking is required at this stop as the Castle has no indoor sections and no hand-rails due to it's poor lack of conservation

Duration: 45 minutes

Stop At: Pegoes Aqueduct, Two kilometres outside the town of Tomar, Tomar Portugal

Aqueduct of Pegões, desgined to supply water to the already existing Convent nearby. Also some physical fitness is required to hike the stairs and enjoy the view from the top of the Aqueduct

Duration: 30 minutes

Stop At: Convent of Christ, Igreja do Castelo Templario, Tomar 2300-322 Portugal

The convent 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). Around 1190 it was encircled and resisted the armies of caliph Abu Yusuf al-Mansur who was successful in taking strongholds in the south.

During the second quarter of the 13th century, Tomar was transferred into the control of the Templars, becoming its seat. The castle became an integral part of the defence system created by the Templars to secure the border of the young Christian Kingdom against the Moors, which at the time occupied the area to approximately the Tagus River. But, following the dissolution of the Templar Order, on 14 March 1319, and following the request of King Denis of Portugal, Pope John XXII instituted the Order of Christ.[1] The seat of the former Knights Templar was converted in 1357 into the seat of this new order.

The famous round church (rotunda) of the castle of Tomar was also built in the second half of the 12th century. The church, like some other templar churches throughout Europe, was modelled after the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem, which was believed by the crusaders to be a remnant of the Temple of Solomon. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem may also have served as model.

This is a UNESCO classified Monument !

Duration: 2 hours

Stop At: Pelourinho de Tomar, Largo do Pelourinho, Tomar 2300-000 Portugal

A stop for lunch is in order ! Enjoy the typical cuisine of the center part of the country in the city of Tomar

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Castle of Almourol, Em1191, Vila Nova da Barquinha 2260 Portugal

Hop back in the car for a short trip to beautiful Almourol Castle, where visitors can take a boat ride during the summer months crossing the river to enter the Castle, as it is located on a small island. After exploring the grounds, return to the car and head back to Lisbon

Duration: 1 hour

Stop At: Magnificat Tours, Av. Republica 6 - 7ESQ, Lisbon 1050-191 Portugal

Head back to Lisbon, where your guide will drop you off at your hotel.

Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes