Page 177 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Portugal

Must See

1 2
1 Begun in the 1550s, probably by Diogo de
Torralva, the Great Cloister reflects João III’s
passion for Italian art.
2 Expressive carvings are found throughout
the Convento de Cristo.
3 The original 12th-century Templar church,
the Charola – sometimes called the Rotunda –
was built in the shape of a 16-sided drum.
Manueline window

The Manueline
church has ornate
ribbed vaulting.
3

Charola
The magnificent complex of
buildings that make up the
Convento de Cristo

Monks’ tombstones pave
the perimeter of the early-
15th-century Cemetery
Cloister, the first to be
built here. In one corner
stands a well.

Ruins of the
The south portal former royal
is initialled by João quarters
de Castilho.
The Washing Cloister was
built around a pair of
large reservoirs, today Entrance
planted with flowers.

In 1160, the Templars’
Grand Master built this
castle on land given to the
order for services in battle.

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