Central Portugal

View to Ourém castle. Located on a hilltop rising out of the vineyards below this site has been fortified since prehistoric times.

The town was founded by the Moors, who were driven out in the 12th century. It was then that the first castle was built to defend against their return.

The current walls date back to the 15th century.

The commanding site of the city's fine Romanesque / Gothic cathedral dates back to 830 AD.

Built largely in the 13th century, after many restorations there is little resemblance to the original building.

The ocatagonal arrangement of central columns in the 12th century Round Church of Tomar's Convento de Cristo

Looking towards the ceiling of the ridiculously ornate 12th century Charola Rotunda in the Convento de Cristo in Tomar. Most of the decor is 16th century.

Looking out over the Claustro de Santa Bárbara towards the Claustro do Cemitério in the Convento de Cristo in Tomar.
On the right you can make out some of the famous Manueline Chapterhouse window.

There are a total of eight cloisters in the monastery.

A spiral staircase in the Joao III cloister of Tomar's Convento de Cristo monastery

Perhaps the most impressive cloister in the Convento de Cristo in Tomar, the Claustro de D. João III.
Completed in 1591 under the reign of Philip II by Italian architect Filippo Terzi.
This magnificent, 2 storey cloister connects the dormitory of the monks to the church, and is considered one of the most important examples of Mannerist architecture in Portugal

Window of the Chapter House (Janela do Capítulo) in the Convento de Cristo in Tomar.
This is one of the finest examples of Maueline extravagance in Portugal

A view of part of the back of the convent in Tomar.

A charming window seat within the Convento de Cristo in Tomar