Santa Iria Convent, Tomar

Discover the National Monument of Santa Iria in Tomar, Portugal.

Santa Iria Convent ©Tomar Terra Templária

The Convent of Santa Iria was erected in the XVI century over a former Benedictine monastery, in the banks of the Nabão river. This is the sample place where the martyrdom of Santa Iria took place, beheaded by order of Britaldo. Her corpse was thrown into the river and arrived to Santarém, where the waters of the Tajo river “opened” to reveal her coffin. In the very middle of the river, there is a monument to mark the place where the miracle took place.

The temple features a Renaissance portico in its northern façade.

The church is the opera-prima of the Renaissance style in Portugal, work of the school known as “Coimbra Renaissance.” Both the portico and windows were designed by João de Castilho.

From the interior, it’s worth noting the Capela dos Vales (Chapel of the Valleys), with a valuable reredos in limestone by João Ruão. In the exterior, over the niche with an image of Santa Iria, Saint Patron of Tomar, you will find a stone with the relief of a bull. Some argue that the stone does have a secretive obscure meaning: since the bull is looking towards the north, towards the Castle of the Knights Templar and the Arcturus constellation, it could be related to the figure of King Arthur and the stories about the Round Table and the Holy Grail.

More information:

Location:

Rua Marquês de Pombal, Tomar.

Telephone:

(+351) 249 322 601.

Recommended Excursions:

Mapa Interactivo:

Other worth-visiting nearby towns and cities:

Why "Portugal Travel"?

Portugal Travel is an organization of Portuguese agencies whose objectives are:

✓ To make Portugal, its culture and its heritage known.
✓ To promote sustainable tourism.

In collaboration with:

Escola Superior de Hotelaria e Turismo do Estoril

Turismo de Portugal