Private tours in Lisbon & surroundings
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Program
Travel northwards and arrive at Santarem for a sightseeing of this ancient city, full of legends, inhabited by the Romans and Arabs
and capital of bullfights in Portugal; stop at the XIII century “Miracles” church.
Proceed to Tomar, famous for the convent of Christ and castle, one of the best, if not the best well-preserved temples of the
Knight Templars - stop for a visit. Sightseeing of this millenarian city, famous for its churches, synagogues, castles and festivals.
Continue to the beautiful and very ancient walled town called Obidos – medieval city surrounded by the castle with picturesque
narrow streets, whitewashed houses, iron balconies, flower pots in very window. Inhabited by Romans and Arabs, this was the
dwelling place of the Portuguese court for more than 500 years.
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...Santarém has 3 000 years of History embedded in its hills. Famous among Romans, Visigoths, Muslims and finally
becoming Santarém, following the reconquest of the town by the Portuguese, when it acquired the title of "forever Noble and
Loyal". The Igreja do Santíssimo Milagre contains a treasure explained by a 13th century legend. It is said that holy water
being used by a priest to persuade a husband to refrain from beating his spouse, suddenly turned into blood. The small
glass vial, which rests in the church to this day, is said to contain the blood of Christ. Santarém is an important bullfighting
center. Bullfighting is like a final exam, after long years of hard work when the Ribatejan excels himself with audacity,
courage, gallantry and chivalry...
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…Tomar was founded as head-quarters of the Knights Templar in Portugal in the 12th century and contains some of the most
significant Templar monuments in Europe. Tomar was especially important in the 15th century when it was a centre of Portuguese
overseas expansion under Henry the Navigator, the Grand Master of the Order of Christ, successor organization to the Templars
in Portugal. The organization existed for approximately two centuries in the Middle Ages. It was founded in the aftermath of the
First Crusade of 1096, to ensure the safety of the many Europeans who made the pilgrimage to Jerusalem after its conquest. After
they were suppressed, they were transformed in Portugal into the Order of Christ, which played and important role in the maritime
expansion…
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...Perched on a hill rising out of an agricultural plain, Óbidos is one of Portugal’s picturesque gems. From its lofty centre
one gazes upon expanses of vineyards speckled with whirling windmills and terracotta-roofed homesteads. Nearer, narrow
cobbled streets, lined typically with whitewashed, bougainvillaea-draped houses, wind up to the walled interior. The region
was the westernmost limit of the Roman Empire. Under Portuguese rule, Obidos flourished into a major trading port. Every
Portuguese queen was given Obidos as a wedding present. Obidos continues to be a popular destination during the
summer, whentourists jam the streets to explore the city’s medieval charm....
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