History is wonderful. It opens the horizon to the receptive mind!

Our wanderings in the hallways of the Convent of Christ finally led us to its most sacred site – the Charola.

A most remarkable medieval interior that was built by the Knights Templar of Portugal in the 12th century. It was inspired by the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

A chapel, octagonal in shape, surrounded a central altar. Around the chapel, a rotunda formed for the worshipers. The rotunda, no matter which side of the chapel, allowed worshipers to maintain a perpetual connection with the sacred space at its heart.

The walls were richly layered with works of art and architecture. Each layer told a story of the influences of the applied art and architecture. This was more particular during the reign of Manuel l at the height of Portugal’s wealth and overseas ambitions. The immersive visual experience included gilded carvings, painted panels, and intricate tile works that were vividly decorating surfaces.

The Charola offered more than a beautiful subject for photographers and visitors. It was a place where Knights Templar legend, royal patronage, religious faith, and maritime exploration converge. That experience made a visit to the Convent of Christ in Tomar, Portugal both visually unforgettable and historically profound.

Photographs of our travels. Memories found and captured.

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