Tomar is a small town in the Midwest of Portugal. It is a town rich in history and because of this, it is home to several stunning displays of architecture from through the ages. The most notable has got to be the Templar castle from the 12th century, within which is the Convent of Christ; one of Portugal's most significant and majestic of monuments, currently a World Heritage Site. It is highly recommended that you visit it to see such a marvellous display of various different architectural styles and find out for yourself just why it’s considered such a significant monument. The answer will be given to you as soon as you start to feel the history of the castle overwhelm you. Whether you are inside or outside, you won't be able to help but be considerably impressed by the countless intricate artistic details that have gone into constructing what is easily the best attraction in the whole country.
The city itself is quite charming and the Nabão River running through it adds to the character and personality. The Sao Joao Baptista Church in the town square may not come close to the Templar in terms of appearance despite being constructed around the same time but is still an interesting church. There are several great restaurants in town that offer a variety of cuisines. The "Festa dos Tabuleiros" (Festival of the Platters) takes place every four years with the most recent one taking place on 2nd - 11th July 2011. About 400 women are dressed in white, carrying platters on their heads stacked high of bread and flowers arranged artistically (this weighs about 15kg), parading throughout the town accompanied by music and fireworks. It is the largest festival of its kind in Portugal and dates back to the 16th century. The president and prime minister of Portugal attend this event so it is an honour for all the women taking part and they take the role very seriously. However because of the weight, the heat and that it takes four hours, it can be quite challenging especially as handing over their platters to the men on stand-by is seen as dishonourable. Several women therefore train themselves hard in the days leading up to the festival. Although the festival brings in the crowds, the real reason behind the festival is so that the priest can bless the bread carried during the festival along with wine, which is then given out to local families. It is an amazing event to watch and is highly recommended.
Tomar is a delightful town, beautiful to look at, rich in history and religion. There is a very pleasant atmosphere throughout and there is no shortage of things to do or see, especially if you stay during early July. The coastline may be within travelling distance if you would like a day out at the beach and the towns of Leiria, Batalhaare and other small villages close by if you want to go visiting. Tomar makes an ideal location to come on holiday and is sure to be enjoyed by everyone.
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