The Convent of Christ in Tomar · The Round Church

The Convent of Christ in Tomar was the Templars’ stronghold in Portugal: at the centre of the church is a sixteen-sided rotunda, wide enough for the monks to ride horses around inside.

After the order was dissolved, Portugal kept it under a new name. The windows and cloisters of the convent are carved all over with ships and sea monsters, and it is said that Vasco da Gama kept vigil here before he set out.

The round church has no column in its centre. Stand inside and speak, and the voice runs all the way round the wall before it stops.

Historical Mysteries / Tomar · Portugal / 1160