Category: Tomar

Where to Eat Plant Based in Tomar

2/3/2024

Tomar is not only rich in history and culture but also has a vibrant food scene. In recent years, more vegetarian- and vegan-friendly restaurants have emerged, showcasing the country’s diverse culinary landscape.

If you’re looking for delicious plant-based meals, Tomar has several options to choose from.

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links which help to keep this blog running.**

Insensato Cafe-livraria - Rua Silva Magalhães 25, Tomar, Portugal is a bookshop and café offers light vegan meals, such as sourdough toasts, burgers, American style pancakes, freshly baked cakes, specialty coffee, organic teas and natural juices.

I had a BBQ Jackfruit sandwich on gluten free bread (additional charge for the bread), salad and sweet potato chips and a vegan coconut cake. I had never had jackfruit before and when I saw it on the menu, Iwas interested to try. It was delicious.

Hanne Cafe - located at R. Serpa Pinto 57, 2300-592 Tomar, Portugal.

They also offer a variety of desserts.

Comer com Amor - located at Rua dos Cavaleiros de Cristo N° 14, Tomar, Portugal. Takeaway or eat in restaurant with vegan dishes using tofu, seitan, and vegetables. Very affordable. The meal below (soup, quiches, rice, and salad) was about €6.

Curry Indian House - located at Rua 10 de Agosto de 1385, Tomar, Portugal, an Indian restaurant that has a variety of vegetarian dishes, many of which can be served vegan upon request, such as vegetable kofta, korma with coconut milk, aloo saag, onion bhajis, and samosas.

I had the Aloo Gobi and Jasmine Rice.

Gira Sol - located Rua do Dr Joaquim Jacinto, Tomar, Portugal. Full Vegan cafe/restaurant (as of September 2023) offering lunch and dinner with set menu each day. Includes soup, mains and dessert, all made on the premises.

I was really looking foward to eating at this restaurant but they were closed for vacation when I was there.

Recommended Posts

0 Comments

Igreja de São João Baptista

2/3/2024

0 Comments

The Igreja de São João Baptista, or the Church of Saint John the Baptist, is a 15th-century Catholic church located in Tomar, Portugal. Built between the 15th and 16th centuries, this church is a remarkable example of Manueline architecture, a Portuguese style characterized by intricate and lavish designs.

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links which help to keep this blog running.**

It was commissioned by King Manuel I and has been classified as a National Monument since 1910. The church is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist and is known for its many interesting artistic details, including a flamboyant Gothic portal, a Manueline tower with a 16th-century clock, and decorated capitals of the inner columns of the nave. Additionally, several panels painted in the 1530s by Gregório Lopes adorn the church, adding to its historical and artistic significance.

Gregório Lopes (c. 1490 – 1550) was one of the most important Renaissance painters from Portugal. In the church, you can find his version of "The Last Supper".

The Igreja de São João Baptista is situated in the heart of Tomar, specifically in the Praça da República, the main square of the town. Its prime location makes it a central feature of the city's historical area, allowing visitors to easily access and appreciate its beauty. The church's rich history and stunning architectural elements make it a must-see attraction for anyone visiting Tomar.

Praça da República

The interior is adorned with decorated columns and captivating painted panels, providing visitors with a glimpse into the rich artistic heritage of the region.

The interior is also adorned with 16th- and 17th-century azulejos, adding to the artistic richness of the church.

The church's exterior is as impressive as its interior, with a portal that showcases intricate Manueline carvings and a striking tower that adds to the grandeur of the building.

The church also features a a 16th-century clock on the tower, adding to its grandeur and historical significance as it was originally housed at Covento de Cristo.

On the lower part of the clock tower, you'll find panel depicting a dog and cat.

View from walking up to the Castle.

Whether you are drawn to its religious significance, historical importance, or architectural beauty, a visit to this 15th-century church is sure to be a memorable experience.

Recommended Posts

Convento de Cristo

0 Comments

Convento de Cristo

2/3/2024

0 Comments

The Convento de Cristo in Tomar, a monastic fortress, was constructed over the course of five centuries. It's located at Estr. do Convento 8, 2300-000 Tomar, Portugal. The entry fee is €10 (at the time of this writing, but check their website for current information).

As is customary for Templar buildings, the initial footprint was laid by Gualdim Pais, a provincial Master of the Order of the Temple. The Templar Knights chose this castle in Portugal as their headquarters; it was a pivotal location during their Reconquest and later reorganizing as the Knights of the Order of Christ. Its architectural and cultural importance led to its 1983 designation as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it extended Portugal's era of discovery and outreach to other civilizations.

Among Portugal's most revered landmarks is the Convento de Cristo Tomar. The illustrious history of this magnificent structure, which dates back to the Templar Knights, is reflected in its distinctive blend of architectural styles. An eclectic blend of Manueline, Gothic, Moorish, Corianthian, and Tuscan styles emerged from the centuries-long process of constructing numerous cloisters, a large choir, and other monastery structures.

Among the most illustrious grand masters of the order was Henry the Navigator. The Prince ensured the Order's position in history by devoting a significant portion of its funds to support his adventures in the 15th century. The establishment of the Iberian Union in 1581, when Philip II of Spain was acknowledged as Philip I of Portugal, took place at this same site. The aqueduct was constructed during the time that the Union lasted, which was from 1630 to 1640.

0 Comments

The Synagogue of Tomar

2/2/2024

0 Comments

The Synagogue of Tomar (Portuguese: Sinagoga de Tomar) is a well-preserved medieval synagogue in Tomar, Portugal is located at 73 Rua Dr. Joaquim Jaquinto in Tomar's historic city center.

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links which help to keep this blog running.**

Along with the Synagogue of Castelo de Vide, it is one of two existing pre-expulsion synagogues in the country.

During the years 1430–1460, the city's flourishing Jewish population erected the Synagogue of Tomar. It was in the fourteenth century that members of Tomar's Jewish community first arrived, following a migratory pattern that began with the Knights Templar.

Related Posts

0 Comments

Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais Church in Tomar

2/2/2024

0 Comments

**This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small amount of compensation when you purchase from my links which help to keep this blog running.**

Igreja Santa Maria dos Olivais Church or Saint Mary of the Olive Grove is located at Church R. Aquiles da Mota Lima, 2300-455 Tomar, Portugal.

The Portuguese Templar Masters' sacred dome is located in Santa Maria do Olival Church. The first church of the Order of the Temple was constructed in the 13th century on top of an earlier structure, a Visigothic-era monastery belonging to the order of S. Bento.

Recommended Products - please click on the photo to be taken to the sales page to purchase.

Romanesque and Gothic influences are visible in the building's design. Renaissance in design, these side chapels and the south gallery date back to the 16th century. There are several noteworthy items in this chapel, including the tomb of Gualdim Pais, the figure of Nossa Senhora by Diogo Pires-o-Velho, the renaissance tomb of the 1st Bishop of Funchal in the main chapel on the left, and the chapel of Simão Preto, which features tiles from the 17th century.

On March 13, 1455, Pope Calisto III issued a papal bull designating this church as the "Mother Church" of all churches in Asia, Africa, and the Americas. As a result, the prior's ecclesiastical authority over the people living in the overseas regions was solidified.

Rebuilt in the 16th century, the bell tower had served as a watchtower from the 12th century.

Related Posts

0 Comments

<<Previous

Where to Eat Plant Based in Tomar

Igreja de São João Baptista

Convento de Cristo

The Synagogue of Tomar

Igreja de Santa Maria dos Olivais Church in Tomar

Linda Roisum

Archives

Categories