/ / / /

Stalking the Knights Templar in Portugal

Where: Tomar, Portugal
May 14, 2009 at 11:05 AM | by | Comments (2)

Moviegoers will come back down from space this weekend with the opening of Ron Howard's movie adaptation of Dan Brown's Angels & Demons novel.

While the film is largely set in Rome, just about every European locale is looking for their own way to cash in on secret society-obsessed tourists. One of the most prominent examples of this is to be found in Portugal, which has its own spooky Knights Templar history to show off.

The Templars came to Portugal in the 12th century and bulit a series of castles along the Tejo River to help defend the new nation from the Moors, including one particularly massive monastery in the town of Tomar. That Templar castle still towers over modern-day Tomar, and its sprawling compound is a Portuguese alternative to Spain's legendary Alhambra palace. Happily, what it lacks in hoards of tourists it more than makes up for with creepy, secretive passageways where it's easy to imagine being stalked by an albino monk or renegade Cardinal.

Although we're not totally sure that there are ancient secrets hidden in the castle's extensive collection of medieval artwork, it sure can't hurt to look. Or can it?

Related Stories:
· Angels and Demons [Official Site]
· Visit Templarios [Official Site]
· Get Conspiratorial With Angels and Demons In Rome [Jaunted]

[Photo: querin.rene]

Comments (2)

Post a Comment

Return to » Stalking the Knights Templar in Portugal


love it

I must say i absolutely love this period of history, find it completely fascinating. The whole Reconquista and the nights of the orders, Portugal and Spain are lucky to have such a vibrant history comprising of so many cultures and nations.
daveknutz on February 24, 2010 at 5:28 AM #Permalink

Almourol Castle

Almourol castle, wish is near Tomar, it's one of the examples. It stands in the middle of Tagus River, only accessible by boat, and there's plenty of stories and legends about hidden Templar secrets and treasures. The origin of Portugal is it self somehow related to the Templar, as the founder of the County of Portugal, was a Templar knight.
AllAboutPortugal on December 11, 2011 at 9:13 AM #Permalink

Return to » Stalking the Knights Templar in Portugal

Join the conversation!

Not a member? .
Use of this Site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement (effective 3/21/12) and Privacy Policy (effective 3/21/12). © Condé Nast. Your California Privacy Rights. All rights reserved. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Condé Nast.
Ad Choices