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Convent of Christ

The Convent of Christ is a national monument of Portugal , located in the city of Tomar, the parish of St. John the Baptist , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and v...
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The Convent of Christ is a national monument of Portugal , located in the city of Tomar, the parish of St. John the Baptist , a UNESCO World Heritage Site and voted as a finalist of the election of the initiative of the Seven Wonders of the country. It was founded in 1160 by Grand Master of the Knights Templar , D. Gualdim Pais , and still retains memories of these knights monks and the heirs of his office , the Order of Christ , which made this building its headquarters . Under Prince Henry the Navigator, the order Master since 1418, cloisters were built between the Rotunda and the stronghold of the Knights Templar , but the greatest changes occur in the reign of King John III ( 1521-1557 ) . Architects as João de Castilho and Diogo de Arruda sought to express the power of the Order building the church and cloisters with rich Manueline flourishes that reached its height in the west facade window.
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