Don't be disappointed if you hope to see Convent of Christ in Tomar

Following on the heels of the short closure of the Templar's castle in Tomar--a magnificent sight--is more significant lack of availability as they start a large renovation of the site...



I know it's on many peregrinos'/peregrinas' "to see" list on the Portuguese Caminho Central.

Translation of part of a local story:

"The first phase of this conservation and restoration action – which will cover the facades and roofs of the Convent of Christ church, which includes the Templar Charola (12th century) and the Manueline Nave (16th century), and where the “world famous” Janela do Chapter – is, in Isabel Cordeiro’s view, of “tremendous” relevance, since it will allow the restoration and conservation of “sculptural elements of extraordinary importance for the understanding of this absolutely unique moment in Portugal, which preserves characteristics authenticity and exceptionality”. "

They will be spending 1 million euros on this part of the work, which will take a year. Then, between next year and 2025, they will be looking at restoring other areas.

No indication of how much access to the sections being worked on will be available in the meantime...just an alert!

Original story (in Portuguese; lots of pictures--the video they mention is just an interview)

peregrina2000 said:

Immpressive restoration project! I have always remembered that the Michelin guide to Portugal gives three stars to the Manueline window on the convent, so it is surely a project worth doing!

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It's a Unesco Heritage site, too. Indeed, well overdue.

Although there is a charm to the lichen that grows all over the Manueline window, I've heard it's been very damaging to the underlying stone. It should be stunning when it's restored--and the chapel, too.

jungleboy said:

The Festa dos Tabuleiros (a quadrennial festival in Tomar) takes place next year from July 1-10 so I wonder if they timed it in the hope that this first phase will finish before then and the convent will be scaffolding-free for the festival?

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Possible, but it's amazing (local comment here) how little the Festa involves anything happening up the hill at the Convent of Christ. The ongoing "two-silo" relationship between the national monuments tourism movement and the local Tomar municipal tourism establishment is rarely more obvious than during the Festa dos Tabuleiros, all of which happens down in the streets of Tomar.