From the Templars to the Oceans
Within the walls of the Convent of Christ in Tomar, Portugal, the magnificent 12th-century Templar Rotunda, known as the Charola, preserves centuries of history.
Originally built as a place of worship for the Knights Templar, it later became part of a remarkable chapter in Portugal’s history.
When the Templar Order was dissolved in 1312, King Dinis of Portugal played a decisive role in preserving much of its heritage. In 1319, with papal approval, the Order of Christ was established, inheriting many of the Templars’ Portuguese possessions.
The Templars had extensive experience in maritime transport, maintaining connections across the Mediterranean. Centuries later, the Order of Christ would become closely associated with Portugal’s maritime expansion, particularly under Prince Henry the Navigator.
Another fascinating connection lies in the forests of Leiria, whose development was encouraged by King Dinis. Their timber would later contribute to Portuguese shipbuilding.
From medieval knights and royal diplomacy to forests, ships and ocean voyages, these stories reveal how different chapters of history can become intertwined.
And here, in the extraordinary Charola of Tomar, one of those chapters began.
Esse fio que vai das florestas aos navios é exatamente o tipo de detalhe pelo qual fico atento quando estou fotografando lugares antigos. Você extraiu toda uma linhagem de um único prédio. O ângulo da madeira de construção naval me surpreendeu; eu não tinha ligado isso ao fato de o Dinis ter ordenado que aquelas florestas fossem plantadas. A história atlântica de Portugal parece menos uma linha reta e mais parecida com essas preparações em camadas que se acumularam ao longo de séculos.
Thank you so much, Sabryna! I particularly enjoyed your observation about history unfolding in layers rather than in a straight line.
There is another fascinating connection I didn’t mention in my original post: King Dinis was also known as the Poet King. He was a remarkable troubadour and played an important role in establishing Portuguese as a language of royal administration.
So, alongside the forests, the Templars and the foundations of Portugal’s maritime future, we also find a king who helped shape the written language of the country.
That’s what I love about exploring historical places: one detail often leads us to an entirely different chapter of history. Thank you for appreciating those connections!
O detalhe do Poeta-Rei desloca-o completamente. A linguagem ao lado de florestas, ao lado de navios, tudo num único gesto soberano ao longo dos séculos. Essa é a forma de pensar em camadas que faz de um lugar um lugar que vale a pena retornar.