• Castelo de Ourem - Ourém Castle is perched atop the town of Ourém, a site captured from the Arabs by King D. Afonso Henriques in 1136. The initial construction of the castle dates back to the 12th and 13th centuries.

Today, it is regarded as one of Portugal’s most stunning castles. Visitors can reach it by ascending a hillside that traverses the historic part of Ourém.

Legend has it that the castle’s name is derived from a Moorish woman named Fátima, who fell in love with a Templar knight, converted to Christianity, and took the name Ouerana.

• Medieval Town of Ourem, Portugal - Towns and Villages

Situated atop a high hill, the older section of Ourém was originally established under the name Abdegas. The Moorish occupation from the 9th century is the origin of the town’s current name, linked to the tale of the Moorish maiden Fátima, who embraced Christianity for her love of the Knight Templar Gonçalo Hermingues and adopted the name Oureana.

In 1136, Dom Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king, seized the town from the Moors and gifted it to his daughter. Dona Teresa commissioned the castle’s construction in 1178 and granted the town a charter in 1180.

The 15th century marked a pivotal era for the town’s growth, with the fourth Count of Ourém, Dom Afonso, the grandson of Dom João I and Dom Nuno Álvares Pereira, residing here. From this period, the town’s fortified walls, which still encircle the medieval center, the Count’s Palace, the Igreja da Colegiada (a church remodeled in the 18th century), and the Pillory date.

Approximately two kilometers away, in the valley, lies the new town of Vila Nova de Ourém, constructed after the 1755 earthquake and now the primary residential and commercial hub. During a visit, one should savor the local cuisine, particularly dishes featuring lamb, kid, and rabbit, and indulge in the renowned Bolos de Arco de Ourém pastries. Pairing the meal with a glass or two of regional wine is highly recommended, as grapevines have been cultivated in the area since before the town’s founding.

For those devoted to the Virgin Mary, a visit to nearby Fátima, home to a significant shrine dedicated to Our Lady, is a must. Nature enthusiasts are encouraged to explore the Serra de Aires e dos Candeeiros, a range of hills marking the municipality’s southern boundary.

• Convento de Cristo - The Convent of Christ

In 1983, UNESCO recognized the Templar Castle and the Convent of the Knights of Christ in Tomar as a world heritage site. This unique monument in Western history, originally a Roman worship site, spans seven centuries of Portuguese history and holds numerous significant relics of pivotal moments in Western history.

Afonso Henriques, Portugal’s first king, granted the Knights of the Temple of Jerusalem extensive lands between the Mondego and Tagus rivers. Legend suggests that upon reaching this region, the Knights were inspired by favorable omens to select a hill for a castle, naming it Tomar. In 1160, D. Gualdim Pais, the Provincial Master of the Order of the Temple, ordered the castle’s construction and the settlement of the region.

• Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais - Igreja de Santa Maria do Olival - Tomar

Monuments

The Igreja de Santa Maria do Olival was commissioned by the knight Gualdim Pais in the 12th century to serve as the Pantheon for the Order of the Knights Templar. Inside, visitors can find the Gothic tombs of Gualdim Pais, Mestre Lourenço Martins, and Mestre Dom Gil Martins.

The church, as seen today, dates from the 13th century and is considered a quintessential example of Portuguese Gothic architecture. Its interior is spacious, featuring a central nave and two side aisles illuminated by a large rose window on the façade. The church’s simple and unadorned appearance, both inside and out, is characteristic of the Mendicant Orders. It is believed that its master builder also contributed to the Mosteiro de Alcobaça.

At the top of the main façade is a rectangular tower, thought to have once connected the church to the Castle of the Knights Templar in Tomar via a tunnel.

• Castelo de Almourol - Boat trip on the Tejo River to Almourol Castle
• Castelo de Almourol - Almourol Castle

Monuments

Located in the middle of the River Tejo, the enigmatic Almourol Castle is one of the most iconic monuments of the Christian reconquest.

Positioned on an island in the River Tagus, Almourol is one of Portugal’s most distinctive castles, renowned for its historical importance and picturesque setting.

Its history is a reminder of the Reconquest of Portuguese territory during the Middle Ages. When Christians arrived in 1129, the castle, then known as Almorolan, was already in existence and was soon incorporated into the lands under the Knights Templar’s protection, led by Gualdim Pais. An inscription at the castle’s entrance indicates that reconstruction began in 1171.

Together with the castles of Tomar, Zêzere, and Cardiga, it formed part of the defensive line of fortifications along the River Tagus.

After the dissolution of the Knights Templar and the diminished need for territorial defense, the castle was abandoned and forgotten until it was revived by the Romantic spirit of the 19th century and restored to its current form.

• Private tour
• Boat trip
• Includes tickets at 2 castles
• Transport by air-conditioned minivan
• Hotel pickup and drop-off
• WiFi on board
• Bottled water
• All taxes, fees and handling charges
• All insurance included

• Food and drinks

Our exploration draws influence from the enigmatic history and comprehensive symbolism of the Templar knights, leading you on an exciting search for Templar treasures in Portugal.

Established during the 12th century in Portugal, the Templar Order worked alongside Portuguese kings in their holy Reconquest and continued Crusaders’ quests. Our journey will lead you to the site of their initial castle and headquarters in the city of Tomar from 1160. A landmark of its time, it was the kingdom’s most advanced military establishment, modelled after the bastions of the Holy Land. The Order was subsequently dissolved by Pope Clement V in 1312 in a bid to eliminate their standing and authority. In Portugal, the Order of Christ took up the mantle, safeguarding both the material and spiritual wealth, while continuing the crusader’s zeal during Portuguese expeditions.

Relive the pursuit of the Holy Grail through enthralling tales spun throughout our guided journey.

• Dress code is smart casual
• May be operated by a multi-lingual guide
• A current valid passport is required on the day of travel
• Comfortable walking shoes are recommended

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.