This collection of photos are from Republic Square (Praça da República) in the City of Tomar in Portugal. It is here that the Town Council of Tomar (Câmara Municipal de Tomar) is located, as well as the statue of Gualdim Pais, the founder of Tomar. From here you can also see on top of the hills the Castle of the Knights Templar. Republic Square is basically the city centre and it is here that many cultural events take place, as you will be able to see in other photos published in this site.
This is Republic Square (Praça da República) in Tomar, Portugal. The building in the centre is the Town Council and on top of the hills is the Castle of Tomar. On the left is the statue of Gualdim Pais, the founder of the city
Another view of Republic Square in Tomar. The flags and symbols around the square are Portuguese symbols of the maritime discoveries and the colours of Tomar
Republic Square (Praça da República) in the City of Tomar, Portugal and old buildings on the right side
While I was shooting photos around the City of Tomar in Portugal, I happened to capture people with my camera doing normal things, going about their daily lifes, enjoying the landscape and local attractions, keeping to themselves, walking, thinking, looking, etc. These three photos were taken around Nabão River near two of the most popular restaurants in town (Bela Vista and Nabão Restaurants). In this area you can often see people watch and feed ducks, fish and pigeons or kids running around surrounded by lots of columbiform birds.
Someone at Bela Vista Restaurant looking at me while I was taking this photo. He may be the owner of the restaurant.
A couple, possibly visitors to the town, looking down at the ducks and the fish swimming around in Nabão River.
Happy kid in Tomar, Portugal, running around, surrounded by pigeons. Two adults looking on
These are water reflections at Nabão River in Tomar at night. In the summer days I spent in my home town in September and October 2010, I used to walk around the City of Tomar at night, carrying my camera with me. In one of those wanders I went through a street called Everard Street (Rua Everard) which is also known as Levada. In fact Levada is probably more used by the people of Tomar than its real name. On the left or right sides, depending on where you are coming from, you can see Nabão River and Lagares Del Rey which was once used to press olives and produce olive oil. So it was at Nabão River at Levada (Rua Everard) that I got these water reflections. Two of the photos show reflections of Lagares Del Rey and the third one shows reflections of buildings which used to belong to a company called Mendes Godinho.
These are water reflections at Nabão River in Levada (Rua Everard) of buildings that used to belong to a company called Mendes Godinho
Here you can see water reflections of Lagares Del Rey in Tomar, Portugal in a street known as Levada (Rua Everard)
Water reflections of Lagares Del Rey in Tomar, in the opposite direction of Everard Street (Levada)
This is Nabão River in Tomar in different days. This town has a diverse range of weather patterns and nature’s moods as you can see on these photos, and Nabão River which cuts across the City of Tomar, is one of its main attractions. This River which was once called Nabanus by the Romans, given that the town was named Nabantia (Nabância) at the time, is also a recreational and sporting area where small boats and canoes are seen around, especially in summer days.
Nabão River in Tomar, Portugal in one of its beautiful summer moods
Summer and sunny day in the City of Tomar with Nabão River as one of its main attractions
This is Nabão River in Tomar in a cloudy day. Rain was on the horizon
These photos of Mouchão Park in the City of Tomar in Portugal, were shot from the street Rua Marquês de Tomar. At the time I was around the coffee shop Estrelas de Tomar to enjoy my after lunch “bica” (expresso coffee). This park is a beautiful island with trees, gardens and an inn called Estalagem de Santa Iria, but when you cross the bridge to the other side where the football field is located, some people also call it Mouchão Park and I think they are right. In one of the photos you can also see at some distance a wooden water wheel which is regarded a landmark of the park.
Mouchão Park in Tomar, Portugal seen from the street Rua Marquês de Tomar
Mouchão Park in Tomar is a small island with a beautiful garden and trees, surrounded by Nabão River
Here you can see a bridge which is one of the entrances of Mouchão Park and a wooden water wheel
Though the City of Tomar is more than 800 years old, you can also find a modern Tomar. These photos below were shot at Alameda Primeiro de Março (1st of March Avenue), one of the moderns areas of the city. This avenue starts at the top of Rua Marquês de Pombal and ends at Raul Lopes Square (Praceta Raúl Lopes). Here you can find part of the modern commerce in the city, a shoping centre and coffee shops. My parents used to live in a house a few metres from the beginning of this avenue, in Rua Marquês de Pombal.
Photo taken at the start of Alameda Primeiro de Março in Tomar, Portugal
Another perspective of Alameda 1º de Março in Tomar. This is also one of the best commercial areas of the city
Alameda Primeiro de Março in the City of Tomar is a beautiful avenue with plenty of green areas
I’m not sure if other cities and towns in Portugal use the name “Corredoura” for one of its streets, but in this case, Corredoura, whose real name is Rua Serpa Pinto, has been used for so long that many people seem to have forgotten the official name of the street. Anyway here you can see three photos of Corredoura (Rua Serpa Pinto), two of them shot in a sunny day and one in a cloudy day. In September and October 2010 I used ro walk this street almost everyday to have coffee in one of its coffee shops. Corredoura which is still considered the main street of the City of Tomar in Portugal, starts at the end of the old bridge, coming from Rua Marquês de Pombal and ends at Republic Square (Praça da República).
The start of the main street in Tomar, Portugal, known as Corredoura with the official name of Rua Serpa Pinto
The middle of Corredoura (Rua Serpa Pinto). The Castle of Tomar can be seen in the distance
Photo of Corredoura or Rua Serpa Pinto in Tomar, Portugal, shot in a cloudy day
When I went to Senhora da Conceicao chapel in Tomar, I shot a few pictures of the Convent of Order of Christ from a certain distance. The convent of Christ (Convento de Cristo) was built after the Castle of Tomar, which was given to the Order of the Knights Templar. Later the Templars turned into the Knights of the Order of Christ. The castle and the convent ended up being important for the Portuguese maritime discoveries of the 15th century.
Photo of the Convent of Christ, shot when I was heading to Senhora da Conceicao chapel in Tomar
Convent of the Order of Christ near the Castle of Tomar
Close up photo of the Convent of Christ in the City of Tomar in 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
If you are in the City of Tomar in Portugal, you must visit the Castle of the Knights Templar (Castelo dos Templários) and the Christ Convent (Convento de Cristo). You can either go by car or you can walk. In my case I didn’t have much choice as I didn’t have a car. Anyway, if you are taking photos of this beautiful city, walking, not driving is the best way to get great shots. So my wife, my son and I walked to castle and in these three photos we are at Calçada de São Tiago, heading to the road that goes to the Castle. In two of them my teenage son was taking panoramic photos of Tomar.
Climbing Calçada de São Tiago in the City of Tomar in Portugal, to go to the Castle of Tomar
Approaching the staircase at the end of Calçada de São Tiago in Tomar, to get to the road that goes to the castle
My teenage son taking panoramic photos of the City of Tomar, on top of the staircase