Lisbon (Day Trips)

Next Stop…Tomar (Portugal)

October 5, 2016 By International Lodging Corporation

ILC-blog-Next-Stop-Tomar-Portugal Located in the Central region of Portugal about an hour and a half north of Lisbon is the historic town of Tomar. This charming and culturally rich town was the last Knights Templar town to be commissioned, and played a significant role during the Portuguese Renaissance and the overseas expansion during the Age of Discovery.

The town itself is picturesque, with well preserved architecture, attractive streets and the River Nabão that runs through it. The focal point and historic gem in town is the 12th C. castle that contains one of the country’s most significant and impressive monuments, the Convent of Christ, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The round church was modeled after the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem.

When the Templars were banned in Europe, the Order of Christ was created. Henry the Navigator was made Governor of the Order in the 15th C., and it was from the Convent of Christ that he directed Portugal’s expansion overseas. The Convent was also the site where the short-lived formation of the Iberian Union took place in 1581, when Philip II of Spain was also recognized as Philip I of Portugal.

Other important sites in Tomar include:

Praça da República – elegant main square
Church of São João Baptista – 15th C. church on the main square
Chapel of Nossa Senhora da Conceição – 16th C. church on the hill leading to the castle
Church of Santa Maria do Olival – 12th C. church that was the burial place of Knights Templar and Knights of the Order of Christ
Synagogue of Tomar – one of Portugal’s oldest synagogues, built in 1430
Castle of Almourol – a 12th C. Templar castle located on a small island in the middle of the Tagus River, 20 km. south of Tomar

Photo Credit: © Joaquim Alves Gaspar. Photo of Convent of Christ.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Sites to See…Portuguese School of Equestrian Art, Queluz (Portugal)

June 15, 2016 By International Lodging Corporation

ILC-blog-Sites-to-See-School-of-Equestrian-Queluz-Portugal The Portuguese School of Equestrian Art (Escola Portuguesa de Arte Equestre) was founded in 1979 and carries on the traditions that were part of the royal court equestrian academy (Real Picaria) from the 18th century that was closed in the 19th century. The school is based in the Gardens of the National Palace of Queluz, located just 20 minutes outside of Lisbon.

The school is considered one of the four principal riding academies in the world, along with the schools in Vienna (Austria), Jerez (Spain) and Saumur (France). They feature Lusitano horses that are bred at the same farm that was established by King João in 1748, and the school preserves the traditional riding costumes, saddles and riding styles from the time of the royals.

Visitors to the Palace and Gardens can see a display with the horses and riders from the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art at 11.00 every Wednesday and Saturday. Daily training sessions, weekly presentations and galas performances are held at the Picadeiro Henrique Calado riding center located in Lisbon in the Belém neighborhood.

For more information on the Portuguese School of Equestrian Art at the National Palace in Queluz, click here. For more information on performances at the Picadeiro Henrique Calado in Lisbon, click here.

As usual, thanks for reading. Please visit International Lodging Corporation at our home page.

Next Stop…Fátima, Portugal

February 12, 2014 By International Lodging Corporation

Fátima is located about an hour and a half (130 km) north of Lisbon. Millions of pilgrims and tourists visit Fátima each year, as it is considered one of the most important Catholic shrines in the world dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

It is believed that the Virgin Mary appeared to 3 shepherd children near the town on the 13th of every month from May through October 1917. The Virgin revealed 3 secrets to the children, which were believed to have foretold World War II, Russian communism, and the assassination attempt on Pope John Paul II that took place in 1981.

In 1928 construction began on the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fátima, which is built at the site of the apparitions of the Virgin to the children. It was consecrated in 1953, and today it welcomes about 4 million pilgrims each year. The tombs of the children are located in the basilica, and the square in front of it is twice as big at St. Peter’s Square in Rome and can hold up to 1 million people. For more information, click here.

After visiting Fátima, take a short 15 minute drive to the town of Ourém and stay in the Pousada Conde de Ourém, a charming cluster of medieval houses that are located next to the town’s 13th C. castle. For more information and reservations, click here.

As usual, thanks for reading.