Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
History & Culture
The Roman city of Sellium was located here before the land was granted to the Order of the
Knights Templar in 1159 when the Portuguese Reconquista recaptured it from the Moors.
The Grand Master of Portugal, Gualdim Pais, was said to have laid the first stone of the
castle and monastery which became the headquarters of the Order and gave birth to Tomar.
In 1314, increasing pressure from the Vatican led to the Order moving south to Castro Mar-
im, however, they returned to Tomar in 1356.
In the 15
th
Century, Henry the Navigator was made Governor of the Order, using its re-
sources to succeed in his explorations. During Henry's reign, irrigation was implemented
and new streets built, attracting more settlers and expanding the town. In the 18
th
Century,
Tomar became one of the first Portuguese towns to gain industry with the opening of a tex-
tile factory. Shortly after the city was liberated from the Napoleonic invasions in the 19
th
Century, the Order was disbanded.
© Wikimedia / Alvesgaspar
