As a follow up of my last post about the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição in Tomar, I now include a set of photos of the road that leads to chapel and for that matter, to the Castle of Tomar and the Convent of Christ. Most people drive there but it’s not that hard to walk to the chapel as it’s not far from the centre of the city. It’s good exercise, it’s a lot of fun and if you have a camera with you, you can take wonderful shots along the way.
This is the road that leads to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Tomar
Not everybody drives or walks. Some people use their bicycles to go to The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição or to the Castle of Tomar and the Convent of Christ
While walking on the road to the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição, you can enjoy the views
So far I have been posting photos of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição from different angles, close ups of this national monument, shots from a certain distance, etc. Now I would like to show a few pictures of panoramic views, while my family and I were walking up the hill, on the road that leads to this 16th century renaissance style chapel in the City of Tomar.
Photo shot near the edge of the road that leads to the Renaissance style Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade in Tomar
While walking up the hill to the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição in Tomar, the panoramic views around were just magnificent
We weren't too far from the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição when I shot this picture. The historical City of Tomar can be seen down in the valley, and in this photo, the tower of São João Baptista Church stands out
I didn’t have the opportunity to visit the interior of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Tomar, because it was closed, but I took some pictures outside and here you can see some architectural details of the chapel outside. This place of worship is also known in English as Chapel of Our Lady of The Conception. The origin of the Portuguese word Conceição seems to be Concepção, therefore Conception in English.
Time wears everything out and this particular detail outside of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Tomar, demonstrates why this place of worship is almost 500 years old
Two windows outside the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição in the City of Tomar, which is a Renaissance structure, marking the abandonment of Gothic architecture
I'm not sure how old is this bell outside the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Tomar, but it is possible that in almost 500 years it has been replaced a few times
More surroundings of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in the City of Tomar. These area of Tomar is vey familiar to me. when I lived in my home town, before leaving Portugal to Australia in 1989, I used to come here very often. It was my way of relaxing after a hard day’s work. The view to the town had a great calming effect on my mind. I used to park my car right right next to the chapel and enjoy the view without leaving the car, but sometimes I would wander around the chapel immersed on my thoughts.
Many years ago, before departing to Australia, I used to drive to the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição to relax and enjoy the views to the town of Tomar.
From this spot at the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição in Tomar, you can view another chapel. That white building is the distance is the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Piedade
As you can see, the surface around the chapel is made of stone. They just left small round spaces to allow the trees grow. I believe this is a design from past centuries. Nowadays people don't usually restrict the free growth of trees
Under orders from the King of Portugal João III (King John III), the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Tomar, was built in the 16th century, but this chapel isn’t only about the Manueline architecture, the Renaissance influence and a place of worship. It’s also about its beautiful surroundings. From here you can appreciate the architectural details outside the chapel, enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the City of Tomar and view at some distance the Convent of Christ.
On the left is a corner of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, but the right you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views to the City of Tomar, which was built in a valley
This photo was shot when I was walking around the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição. The stairs in front of me leads to breathtaking views of the City of Tomar
On one side of the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição you can see at some distance, the famous Convent of Christ in Tomar, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage.
In previous posts, in my introductions I mentioned when the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição was built and completed (1535-1573, who ordered it (King João III), who were the architects (João de Castilho and Diogo de Torralta), what movement influenced this structure (Renaissance), what is the architecture style (Manueline), what was the original reason it was built (mausoleum), etc. Now it is time to show you how I got there. I didn’t drive because I didn’t have a car, so I just used the old fashion, natural method of walking up there while taking photos along the way.
I walked up to the hill where the Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Tomar is located. I did it with my wife and son and it's not a difficult journey at all. In fact it is very relaxing.
A different perspective of the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição in the City of Tomar. That day, not many cars were driving past the road that leads to the Chapel and the Castle of Tomar
At this stage of the journey, the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição was still at some distance. This is also the same road that leads to the Castle of the Knights Templar in Tomar
The Chapel of Senhora da Conceição (Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição) in Tomar, Portugal, started in 1535, led by the master of architecture João de Castilho, but after his death in 1553, Diogo de Torralta took over and he was the one who completed the work in 1573. This chapel is influenced by the cultural rebirth of the Renaissance in Italy, but it also presents Portuguese architectural elements, known as the Manueline Style. These are three of the many photos that I shot while I was there. You can also enjoy striking views of Tomar from this chapel.
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in Tomar, was started in 1535 by the Portuguese architect João de Castilho and completed in 1573 by Diogo de Torralta
This Manueline style chapel known in portuguese as Ermida de Nossa Senhora da Conceição, received influences from classical italian architecture of the Renaissance
Photo of the Chapel of Senhora da Conceição in the City of Tomar in Portugal, shot from the road heading to the Castle of Tomar
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição in the City of Tomar, was built in the 16th century ordered by the King João III of Portugal, and overseen by the notable architects Diogo de Torralva and Joao Castilho. This chapel stands over Tomar and apparently the original function of this place of worship was a mausoleum. Around the chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição, there is a viewing platform which offers beautiful and picturesque views of Tomar. These photos below were shot from Mouchão Park.
Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição standing guard over the City of Tomar
Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição on top of the hill, seen from Mouchão Park
Close up of the chapel Nossa Senhora da Conceição overlooking Tomar