TOMAR
TOMAR, also known in English as Thomar, stands on the banks of the Nabão River. It is dominated by a the Knights’ Templar castle containing one of the country’s most significant and impressive monuments, the Convent of Christ It is situated in the district of Santarém in the province of the Ribatejo and has a population of around 43.000 inhabitants.
TOMAR is a bustling market town, and was built in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, the fourth master of the order of the Temple (Knights Templars) Today TOMAR has train and Bus stations, a large General Hospital, several health centres, a Municipal Sports Centre with an indoor swimming pool. There is also a Ten Pin Bowling alley, several Banks, numerous cafe bars and restaurants, shops, art galleries, hotels, post offices, pharmacies and several schools. It also has a University which is situated on the outskirts of the town.
The main shopping street, is called the ‘Rua Serpa Pinto’ or ‘Corredor’ This street, leads to the Gothic Church of São João Baptista, on the Praça da República, the town’s elegant main square surrounded by 17th-century buildings. The 15th century church has an Manueline portal and inside are 16th century paintings, including a Last Supper by Gregório Lopes, one of the finest of the country’s 16th century artists.
Rua Serpa Pinta ( Corredor )
Rua ‘Serpa Pinta or the ‘Corredor’ as it is locally known, is the main pedestrian street of the ‘Old Town’ of TOMAR and provides a stunning view up to the castle.
In the Summer there are several pavement cafe Bars along the cobbled street from where Tourists and locals congregate to enjoy a coffee or a glass of wine and to watch the world go by.
The Templar Cross is etched into the cobbles of the pavements
Narrow Cobbled Streets of the Old Town
TOMAR council operates a ‘tourist train’ which winds it’s way through the narrow cobbled streets past the Historical monuments starting and finishing at the ‘Praca De Repuplica’ ( Main Square )
In the Praça da República stands the church of St. John The Baptist, (Igreja de São João Baptista ) which was built in 1490. It has an elegant Manueline doorway.
The Templar Grand Master Gualdim Pais, who founded TOMAR, in 1162, also stands in the centre of the square.
Europe’s largest matchbox museum ( Museu dos Fosforos ) Is located in TOMAR in the former Convento de Sao Francisco near the railway station. It is home to over 43,000 matchboxes from some 100 countries. Entry is FREE
Getting to Tomar
By Plane:
The nearest Airport is Lisbon Portela
(+351) 218 413 500
The International Airport of Lisbon is located in Portela, 7km Northeast from the city centre. The airport is about 130 km from Tomar. From Lisbon Airport take a taxi (around 10€) or a bus (lines 5 and 44, around 1,50€) to Estação do Oriente, which is located at Parque das Nações. Here take a train to Tomar.
Road Network:
To access Tomar by car from the airport take the motorway A-1 up to Torres Novas exit and then take motorway A-23.
If you come from Coimbra, take the motorway A-1, exit at Condeixa and take N-110 or exit at Torres Novas and take A-23.
There are also daily buses (express buses) from the main cities in Portugal to Tomar. For further information
Train:
If you come from Lisbon airport, take the train at Oriente station in Parque das Nações. There are direct regional trains to Tomar. The trip to Tomar takes about 2hours.
If you come from Porto - Sá Carneiro airport in the North, you have to exit at Entroncamento station and take the connection train to Tomar.
The train service is run by Comboios de Portugal (CP).
For further information,
or call: +351 213 185 990
