2022 Tuesday, Sept. 20

Tomar Rest Day

We’re in Tomar, and decided on a real rest day: no travel, no extra walking, and seeing the local items. Still, it was 8.4 miles of walking for the day.

Laundry was first. The temperature had already climbed to 91 degrees so we bought some snacks and went back to the hotel hoping the temperature would drop a bit.

2022  Portugal   Camino Portuguese

Click the link to view today’s video: https://www.relive.cc/view/v7O953oxdQO.

Our hotel in Tomar, Dos Templarios
Our hotel, Dos Templarios.
Tomar statue for the Festival of Trays
Tomar hosts a famous Festival of Trays every four years dating back to the 16th century. About 400 young women carry a tray with loaves of bread crowned with a white dove (Holy Spirit). Whether in anticipation of the next festival (2023) or for general tourism, the town has a lot of construction including the Templar Castle, the main church on the square, and many roads.
outer courtyard for the Templar castle
Only the Templar Castle grounds were open for viewing. While the sun was shining, we could see a storm looming and the skies rained down while we were inside the Convent of Christ.

The Order of Christ was the remade Templar Order after it was outlawed by France and passed to the patronage of Portugal. The castle and convent occupy the same hilltop space and. There are so many beautiful sites!

inner courtyard for the Templar castle with Manueline elements
dormitory cell halls of the Convent of Christ (formerly the Templar Castle)
A dormitory of cells.
dining hall in the chapel of the Convent of Christ (formerly the Templar Castle)
The dining hall. There are speakers’ platforms on each side for readers to entertain during meals.
world-famous Manueline window in the Convent of Christ (formerly the Templar Castle)
The world-famous Manueline window is being cleaned/renovated.
intricate details in the chapel of the Convent of Christ (formerly the Templar Castle)
The chapel Charola is based on the octagonal shape of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. It is richly embellished and was reportedly designed so that knights could attend mass on horseback.
intricate details in the chapel of the Convent of Christ (formerly the Templar Castle)
More of the Charola.
dinner at Sabores ao Rubro in Tomar
Finally, we ended the evening with dinner at Sabores ao Rubro where we enjoyed a meal three years ago. They have upgraded their facility but offered the same menu. Chef Hugo greeted us, daughter Beatriz served us, and Hugo’s wife played the piano to entertain patrons.
Sabores ao Rubro chef, Chef Hugo

Comments:

Dan Hendry: Looks like a great town to visit. As usual, your meal looks delicious!. 2022/09/23

Reply: Tomar was my favorite place three years ago, but we were there later in the year and it seemed that we were among the few visitors. Now there are your buses and the town was bustling. It is so full of history and I could spend much more time there.
My meal is exactly what I ordered three years ago: grilled shrimp. They do a great job and it’s presented elegantly. Glad you noticed the food! 2022/09/23

Ann Prazza: Lovely photos! 2022/09/23

Reply: Thanks, Ann. Wish you were here—I think you would love it! 2022/09/23

Ann Prazza: Oh and I just noticed that tower of shrimp-wow, looks deLIC and fresh! Also, is that a fried egg on top of Richard’s plate? I gotta ask the tough questions 2022/09/24

Reply: The tower of shrimp is really just a skewer hung vertically. It was wonderful, and exactly the same as the last time I ordered it in 2019. Richard’s steak is “Portuguese style” including a bit of ham then topped with the egg. Good observations! 2022/09/24

Ann Prazza: And yes, I Would love all the beautiful churches, birds, ancient architecture anc pleasant companions and villagers. 2022/09/24

Reply: I wish more churches would have been open. Perhaps it will change as we get closer to Santiago. 2022/09/24