The old city of Tomar, Portugal, is old. It was founded in 1160 by Gualdim Pais, the Grand master of the Knights Templar in Portugal. The city played a key role in fighting invasions by the Moors, especially in 1190.
As in much of the Iberian Peninsula, the houses here are painted white to help ward off the heat of the day. Walking through the streets of Tomar is much the same today as it has been for centuries. The buildings present unadorned walls to the street, but evidence of courtyards and the interior life can be seen, if you know where to look.
In the center of town is the Praça da República, its main plaza Here you will find City Hall, the church of St. John the Baptist, and a statue of Gualdim Pais.
Tomar sits along the Nabão River. Towards the northern part of the old city, the Parque do Mouchão offers a literal island of green in the middle of the river. The park sits among several dams that help control the flow of water and direct some of that flow into the canal that used to power the city’s factories.
The park is a wonderful, shady respite from the summer heat. The island is home to a play ground for children, and the Mouchão Water Wheel, a full size model of the type used to generate power in the middle ages.
Walking around Tomar is a wonderful way to spend time exploring part of Portugal’s past. But hurry, get there before the hordes of tourists discover it.
