This is the Church of São João Baptista built at Praça da República in Tomar many centuries ago. In English, São João Baptista translates into Saint John the Baptist. I know that I have already shown this church previously, but this is a photoblog more than it is a blog, and images in this site reign supreme. So here you can see different angles of this 12th century church. As far as I know there isn’t a photo in this site that is a repeat.
Church of São João Baptista built centuries in an area of Tomar now known as Praça da República
Another angle of the Church of Saint John the Baptist, right across the statue of Gualdim Pais, the founder of Tomar
In this photo you can better see the Manueline Style facade of the Church of São João Baptista in the City of Tomar
The photos in this topic relate to two different chapels and one church, all located in different areas of Tomar in Portugal. The first photo I believe to be a very small chapel located midway that huge flight of stairs that leads to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade. Despite my investigation I haven’t found the name of this small place of worship yet. The second photo is the main entrance to Misericordia church at Avenida Cândido Madureira and the third one is Santa Iria Chapel, which is located at Rua de Santa Iria, right next door to a coffee shop of the same name.
This is what I believe to be a very small chapel, about midway the 286 stairs that lead to the Chapel of Senhora da Piedade. On the right side of the door there's an inscribed plaque that says: "Holy Father - Hail Mary - For the souls in purgatory"
This is the door that leads inside Misericordia Church at a street in Tomar, called Avenida Cândido Madureira. There used to be an hospital to the left of this church and as a result this church was often used as a place for wakes
On the left side of this photo is the door that leads inside the Chapel of Santa Iria that took the name of Santa Iria Legend. I tried to take a few photos inside this chapel, but I was refused the honour
The Chapel of São Gregório in Tomar (Ermida de São Gregório) is located right next to the gardens of Varzea Pequena and Hotel dos Templários and has an octagonal configuration. This chapel was built in the 16th century and was dedicated to the saint Gregório Nazianzeno who was a theologian and a Patriarch of Constantinople in the 4th century, who claimed to have proven the divinity of Jesus Christ. Its decoration is slightly Manueline, especially the portal.
This is the Chapel of São Gregório at Varzea Pequena, next to Hotel dos Templários. This chapel was dedicated to a theologian from Constantinople called Gregório Nazianzeno, who was later sanctified
The Chapel of São Gregório in Tomar is at the start of a road called Estrada do Prado and not too far from the flight of 286 steps that lead to the Chapel of Senhora da Piedade
A different perspective of the Ermida de São Gregório in the City of Tomar. This chapel was built in the 16th century and was decorated with some Manueline elements
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade in Tomar, also know as Hermitage of the Lady of the Mountain (Ermida da Senhora do Monte) is mentioned a few times in another topic of this site, dedicated to this place of worship. To reach this chapel you either drive or you go on foot and climb a flight of stairs with 286 steps. These photos were shot when I had just arrived at the top of a hill above the City of Tomar. This chapel was originally Manueline (14th century), built by order of a governor known as Alcaide de Óbidos but in the 17th century was remodeled in the baroque style.
Photo of the Chapel of Senhora da Piedade, shot when I was just arriving at the top of a hill above the City of Tomar. Here you can see the the end of this huge staircase
The chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade in Tomar, was built in the 14th century in the Manueline style, but in the 17th century was remodeled in the Baroque style.
Chapel of Senhora da Piedade, also known as Hermitage of the Lady of the Mountain (Ermida da Senhora do Monte), has spectacular panoramic views to the City of Tomar
All churches and chapels have a mainly purpose and that is to worship the God of the religion you follow, but if you’re not a religious person, you can always visit them as a cultural self development. However, in this case I am under the impression that the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Tomar, hasn’t been used much for those purposes. I have been countless times around this chapel, but have never been inside it. The surroundings and the view to the City of Tomar is glorious and worth the visit, but I have no idea how it is inside this 16th century chapel, as its doors have always been closed.
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Tomar is from the 16th century and it looks great from the outside, but I haven't found its doors open for visitors
The views to the City of Tomar from the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Tomar is magnificent, and by itself it's worth the visit
To get to the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição in the City of Tomar you have to either walk or drive up to the hill where this place of worship is located
The Convent of San Francisco (Convento de São Francisco) in Tomar, was founded in 1624 by Franciscan monks from a religious order located in a nearby village called Santa Cita. The construction of the convent and church started in 1628 and with additions along the way, like the tower on the right side of its facade, it was actually completed in 1660. So this convent and church located at Avenida General Bernardino Faria of my home town, has been a catholic religious presence in the City of Tomar for almost 400 years.
The convent of São Francisco in Tomar and its catholic church. This is a place of worship built in the 17th Century by Franciscan monks
The convent of São Francisco and its church was built in an area called Varzea Grande in the City of Tomar, starting in 1628 and completed in 1660
The Convent of San Francisco in Tomar seen from a different perspective. This convent and church currently belongs to the Third Order of São Francisco
Some people call this church Santa Maria dos Olivais, others Santa Maria do Olival. Not sure which one is the correct way. Notice the difference between “Olivais” and “Olival”. “Olival” means an olive tree plantation. “Olivais” means more than one olive tree plantation. On the other hand “Santa Maria” means Saint Mary. Anyway this place of worship in the City of Tomar in Portugal, is a Roman Catholic church built in the middle of the 12th century by Gualdim Pais, founder of Tomar and a Master of the Order of the Knights Templar. This church was used as a burial place and Gualdim Pais himself is buried there. In these photos you can see a magnificent rose window over the four archivolts portico. There is also a rumor that there is a secret passageway between this church and the Castle of Tomar, but there is no real proof of that.
Church of Santa Maria dos Olivais in the City of Tomar, Portugal. This is a Knights Templar church built in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, the founder of the town
Church of Santa Maria do Olival in Tomar. Notice the four archivolts portico, and on top of it there is a magnificent Rose Window with 12 petals
Close up of the Rose Window at the Church of Santa Maria dos Olivais in Tomar, Portugal
The Church of São João Baptista in Tomar, Portugal, which in english is Saint John the Baptist, is located in the Republic Square (Praça da República) near the Town Council (Câmara Municipal de Tomar). It was built in the 12th Century which makes it as old as the Castle of the Knights Templar. Both Henry the Navigator (Infante D. Henrique) and King Manuel I (Rei D. Manuel I), improved this church. The former enlarged it and the latter gave it a gothic (Manueline style) facade. Unfortunately I didn’t have the opportunity to take photos inside. I was told that it wasn’t allowed, but I hope that one day they will make an exception for this site.
Church of Saint John the Baptist in the City of Tomar in Portugal
Church of Sao Joao Baptista in Tomar, located in the Republic Square (Praça da República)
Church of Sao Joaoa Baptista in Tomar with a Manueline style (gothic) facade