Camino Portuguese

Our train ride back to Lisbon was made all the more memorable thanks to a fellow Pilgrim's recommendation to visit Tomar, a place that we would never have known about otherwise.

Despite the effort it took to transfer our bikes on three separate train connections, it was well worth the journey. We decided to extend our stay to two nights so that we could fully explore the unique history of this place. Our enthusiastic host, Antonio, was proud to share the fascinating four-century history of his family's building. His great-grandfather operated it as a car factory and, in keeping with the theme, converted it into a cozy kitsch hostel. He graciously left us with a tour guide map of must-see sights.

Tomar's crown jewel is the Castle of the Knights Templar, our first stop. Built-in 1160, it is the largest and best-preserved European Templar settlement. In the early 14th century, it was converted into Christ Convent (Convento de Cristo), and in 1983, it was recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The castle's intact battlements and military architecture made it the most fascinating castle/ convent we'd ever visited. Too much history to abbreviate. History buffs can find more on this link.. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tomar_Castle?wpro…

Nestled in the narrow streets of the old Jewish quarter is the well-preserved medieval Jewish Temple, built in 1438. It's rare because it's one of two pre-expulsion synagogues in Portugal. Worship was tolerated under the Order of the Temple, and Jews coexisted peacefully and even thrived economically until 1496, when King Manuel I ruled Portugal, and the persecution and forced conversions of Jews began.

Our day continued as we followed Antonio's guide and climbed the 286 steps to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade. The trek was challenging but well worth the panoramic views from the top 🥴

We ended our day with a yet another delicious Portuguese meal and chatted with travelers from France and Germany. Despite the language barriers, we shared a common language through our smiles. The warmth and hospitality of the people of Tomar made us feel at home in this quieter gem of Portugal.Read more