Portugal: Tomar – Convent of Christ

Convent of Christ was founded by the Knights of Templar in 1118. It withstood multiple attacks and encirclement by the armies of Caliph of Morocco and was never occupied or penetrated. It looks and feel more like an absolute citadel then a religious convent – well obviously it’s both. The convent was the seat of Knights of Templar in Europe until its dissolution in 1319 when it was renamed into Order of Christ. The citadel and the convent inside represent a blend of different styles including Romanesque, Gothic, and Renaissance.