Tours and visits
- Portugal
- France
- Italy
- Portugal
The Secret of the Knights of the Temple in Tomar
Founded in 1160, Tomar Castle included the fortified village, the “terreiro”, the military residence, the Master’s house, the Alcáçova, the knights’ oratory and finally the rotunda of the Templars, “Charola”, which was completed in 1190.
In 1420, with the castle then being the seat of the Order of Christ, Prince Henry the Navigator transformed the military house into a convent for the branch of contemplative religious that he introduced into the Order of Christ.
At the beginning of the 16th century, King Manuel I and governor of the Order of Christ extended the rotunda of the Knights Templar to the west, with a new extramural construction. The decorative elements celebrate the Portuguese maritime discoveries, the myths of the Order of Christ and the Crown of Portugal in a great manifestation of power and faith.
The Church of Santa Maria dos Olivais was the pantheon of the Order of the Temple as early as the 13th century. Some Templar masters, including D. Gualdim Pais, are buried there.
This excursion is organized by the Caminhos da História agency.
Information and booking:
Caminhos da História
Carlos Fiandero
+351 916 298 183
R. do Lugar, nº 39-A, Ganados, 2305-321 Casais – Tomar – Portugal
Prices:
The Secret of the Knights of the Temple in Tomar, Almourol and Cardiga
Founded in 1160, Tomar Castle included the fortified village, the “terreiro”, the military residence, the Master’s house, the Alcáçova, the knights’ oratory and finally the rotunda of the Templars, “Charola”, which was completed in 1190.
In 1420, with the castle then being the seat of the Order of Christ, Prince Henry the Navigator transformed the military house into a convent for the branch of contemplative religious that he introduced into the Order of Christ.
At the beginning of the 16th century, King Manuel I and governor of the Order of Christ extended the rotunda of the Knights Templar to the west, with a new extramural construction. The decorative elements celebrate the Portuguese maritime discoveries, the myths of the Order of Christ and the Crown of Portugal in a great manifestation of power and faith.
The Church of Santa Maria dos Olivais was the pantheon of the Order of the Temple as early as the 13th century. Some Templar masters, including D. Gualdim Pais, are buried there.
The Quinta da Cardiga (farmhouse) belonged to the Order of the Knights Templar and the Order of Christ. The beautiful building preserves a Manueline portal and tiles from the 16th and 17th centuries. Next to the big house are the old houses of the farm’s workers.
This excursion is organized by the Caminhos da História agency.
Information and booking:
Informations et renseignements :
Caminhos da História
Carlos Fiandero
+351 916 298 183
R. do Lugar, nº 39-A, Ganados, 2305-321 Casais – Tomar – Portugal
geral@caminhosdahistoria.com
www.caminhosdahistoria.com
Prices:
Rate with round-trip Lisbon-Tomar transfers: from € 67 to € 180 for groups of 2 to 6 people.
The price includes entrance fees to the Convent of Christ, the Templar Castle of Tomar, the Castle of Almourol and the Quinta da Cardiga farm, the accompaniment by an interpreter-guide and round-trip transfers Lisbon-Tomar.
Rate without transfers: from € 35 to € 85 for groups of 2 to 6 people.
The price includes entrance fees to the Convent of Christ, the Templar Castle of Tomar, the Castle of Almourol and the Quinta da Cardiga farm, accompaniment by an interpreter-guide.
The Castle of the Templars and the Convent of Christ
Founded in 1160, Tomar Castle included the fortified village, the “terreiro”, the military residence, the Master’s house, the Alcáçova, the knights’ oratory and finally the rotunda of the Templars, “Charola”, which was completed in 1190.
In 1420, with the castle then being the seat of the Order of Christ, Prince Henry the Navigator transformed the military house into a convent for the branch of contemplative religious that he introduced into the Order of Christ.
At the beginning of the 16th century, King Manuel I and governor of the Order of Christ extended the rotunda of the Knights Templar to the west, with a new extramural construction. The decorative elements celebrate the Portuguese maritime discoveries, the myths of the Order of Christ and the Crown of Portugal in a great manifestation of power and faith.
Finally, you will visit the Pegões Aqueduct, a work from the early 17th century that provided drinkable water to the Convent of Christ. The visit to the Pegões Aqueduct will allow you to discover the different stages of the construction of the aqueduct.
This excursion is organized by the Caminhos da História agency.
Information and booking:
Caminhos da História
Carlos Fiandero
+351 916 298 183
R. do Lugar, nº 39-A, Ganados, 2305-321 Casais – Tomar – Portugal
geral@caminhosdahistoria.com
www.caminhosdahistoria.com
Prices:
From € 5 per person
The price includes entrance to the Convent of Christ and the Castle of the Templars of Tomar and the accompaniment by a guide-interpreter.
- France
The shadow of the Templars in the Forêt d’Orient
Walking tour on the site of the establishment of the Templar Commandery of the Bazin Lodge, from where the Templars, these famous monk knights, managed this mythical forest, a source of supply and considerable income for the Knights Templar.
Thierry do Espirito, guide-lecturer and historian author of “Templars for Dummies” proposes three stages on the Route of the Templars in the Aube. To be chosen independently or in totality.
- Cathedral of Troyes,
- Forest of the Orient,
- Commandery of Avalleur
Individual public or group of up to 25 people
Not included: transfers from Troyes to the Forêt d’Orient and to the Commanderie d’Avalleur and catering.
Information and booking:
Thierry do Espirito
www.tde.fr
Prices:
€ 25 per person
The shadow of the Templars in Avalleur
In the footsteps of the Templars in Aube. A Templar tour that passes through the commandery of Avalleur, the economic unit of the vast network of the Knights Templar that financed the war in the East.
Thierry do Espirito, guide-lecturer and historian author of “Templars for Dummies” proposes three stages on the Route of the Templars in the Aube. To be chosen independently or in totality.
- Cathedral of Troyes,
- Forest of the Orient,
- Commandery of Avalleur
Individual public or group of up to 25 people
Not included: transfers from Troyes to the Forêt d’Orient and to the Commanderie d’Avalleur and catering.
Information and booking:
Thierry do Espirito
www.tde.fr
Prices:
€ 25 per person
The shadow of the Templars in Troyes
Guided tour of the Cathedral of Troyes, the scene of the creation of the Order of the Knights Templar, both religious and military, in 1129, in the presence of Bernard of Clairvaux. A fascinating visit by a historian, in the footsteps of the famous monk knights. Beyond legends and myths, the real facts.
Thierry do Espirito, guide-lecturer and historian author of “Templars for Dummies” proposes three stages on the Route of the Templars in the Aube. To be chosen independently or in totality.
- Cathedral of Troyes,
- Forest of the Orient,
- Commandery of Avalleur
Individual public or group of up to 25 people
Not included: transfers from Troyes to the Forêt d’Orient and to the Commanderie d’Avalleur and catering.
Information and booking:
Thierry do Espirito
www.tde.fr
Prices:
€ 25 per person
At the origin of the Templars
MORNING
You start the day at the Hugues de Payns Museum, which traces the life of the founder and first master of the Order of the Temple. Then you will be accompanied by a guide to the Cathedral of Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul de Troyes, in which, in 1129, the Council of Troyes officialized the first religious and military order of Christendom. Local lunch.
AFTERNOON
Your guide will accompany you to the Templar Commandery of Avalleur, a Templar heritage exceptional by its authenticity. The chapel, gothic, has remained intact. You will end the day with a visit of a champagne cellar and a tasting of a vintage of Templar champagne.
Distance : 64km
This excursion is organized by the travel agencies of Aube en Champagne.
Information and booking:
Aube en Champagne Tourisme et Congrès
34 quai Dampierre 10000 TROYES – FRANCE
Estelle Mazard
03 25 42 50 83
estelle.mazard@aube-champagne.com
www.groupes.champagne-breaks.com/
Prices:
From €44* per person.
*Price on the basis of a group of 30 people – subject to change – transport not included
The Route of the Templars
MORNING
Visit of the Commanderie d’Avalleur at Bar-sur-Seine
Welcomed at the Templar Commandery of Avalleur as in the time of Hugues de Payns. Templar cross on the chest and white dawn, the guides take you back to the times of the knights and take you through the history of the place. The Commanderie d’Avalleur is one of the best preserved Templar ensembles in Northern Europe. The Templars owned land in Avalleur before 1142.
LUNCH
Lunch in a restaurant in the Châtillonnais (aperitif, starter, main course, dessert, ¼ wine and coffee)
AFTERNOON
Guided tour of the Templar Commandery of Epailly at Courban
This important commandery, which still has its remarkable chapel, was restored with passion and fervor by its owner. Its walls forming ramparts and its round towers are part of a landscape that has retained all its authenticity, a valley that fortunately remained untouched by any industrial installation. It is therefore important that this exceptional witness to a centuries-old history, in its original site, be preserved as part of the cultural and natural heritage.
Guided tour of the Saint-Julien church of Bure-les-Templiers
The church of Bures, which originates from the oldest Templar chapel in the Châtillonnais, illustrates the architectural succession of the orders of the Temple and the Hospital. From the 12th century, the unique rectangular nave, its aisle, the choir and its side bell tower forming a porch are Romanesque and Templar. Only the choir and the first span of the main nave remain from this period.
From the 13th and 14th centuries, a second nave parallel to the first was built “on the Gospel side” and connected to the first by arcades in the wall. The two bays adjoining the choir, which were then rebuilt, are also Gothic and hospitable.
This excursion is organized by the Châtillonnais Tourist Office.
Information and booking:
Office du tourisme du Châtillonnais
1 Rue du Bourg, 21400 Châtillon-sur-Seine – France
03 80 91 13 19
contact@tourisme-chatillonnais.fr
www.tourisme-chatillonnais.fr
Prices:
From € 48* per person.
*Price based on a group of 20 people minimum
Guided tours of the Templar Complex of San Bevignate
Standard guided tours
The visit consists in a guided tour of the Templar Complex of San Bevignate and the “fullonica” of Roman age.
Duration: about 1 hour
Languages: Italian, English, French, Spanish (other upon request)
Historical Period involved: Roman Time, The Middle Ages, Contemporary Age
Key words: Medieval History, Medieval Art, Iconography, Archaeology, Contemporary History; Local History, History of Religions, Ancients Crafts.
Customised guided tours
The Customised Guided tour is focused on different aspects of the History and artistic happenings of the Templar Complex of San Bevignate, and the precise contents can be decided together with the operator.
Duration: about 1 hour
Languages: Italian, English
Historical Period involved: to be chosen by the visitor
Information and booking:
Prices:
Munus s.r.l.
tel. +39 075 9477727
email: palazzodellapenna@munus.com
On Reservation only (minimum a week before the intended visit).
The guided tours will be given upon reservation all days – save the 25th of December and the 1st of January – with an extraordinary opening or during the normal opening hours of the Museum.
€ 80,00 (in Italian), € 100 (in a foreign language)
Thematic guided tours at the Templar Complex of San Bevignate
Thematic guided tours: Before and after the restoration works
The guided tour is focused on the conservative history of the Templar Complex of San Bevignate, from historic restauration works to the modern ones, with highlighting the iconographic, stylistic and technical particulars (details, new interpretation keys, etc.) as appeared at the end of the latest works.
Duration: about 1 hour
Languages: Italian, English, (other upon request)
Historical Period involved: The Middle Ages, Contemporary Age
Key words: History of Restoration, Medieval Art History, Art Techniques, Restoration Techniques.
Thematic guided tours: Templar Knights
Thanks to the recent restoration works of the counter-façade, some particulars and detail of the fresco with the Templar theme are today much more easy to read. This the case, for instance, of the many horse characterising the battle scene. The horse, present in the very Templar Rule, is a fundamental element for the Order, This particular visit twill be focused on the symbology of this legacy.
Duration: about 1 hour
Languages: Italian, English, (other upon request)
Historical Period involved: The Middle Ages,
Key words: Medieval Art History, Iconography, Medieval History, Hagiography
Information and booking:
Munus s.r.l.
tel. +39 075 9477727
email: palazzodellapenna@munus.com
On Reservation only (minimum a day before the intended visit).
Prices
Free (on appointed days) with fee for replies on reservation.
Tour: Discovering Perugia. Waters and spirit
The area where is the Templar Complex of San Bevignate is rich in water. This has caused, in time, the developments of activities linked to it, as witnessed still today by the remains of a “fullonica” (something like a public laundry) of Roman period and by the existence of legends and traditions.
The tour focuses on historic, artistic, folklore aspects linked to waters and includes the visit to the Templar Complex of San Bevignate, the following of the itinerary along the ancient “Cammino delle Lavandaie”(path of the Washerwomen),to the Ecomuseo del Tevere (Tevere Ecomuesum), where to see ancients objects linked to the ancient job of the Washerwomen.
Tour for adults and children (over 6 years of age)
Duration: about 4 hours
TO BE NOTED: the tour includes a part of urban trekking. Clothing suitable with such a walk is therefore recommended.
Historical Period involved: Roman Time, The Middle Ages, Contemporary Age
Key words: Medieval History, Medieval Art, Iconography, Archaeology, Contemporary History; Local History, History of Religions, Ancients Crafts.
Information and booking:
Munus s.r.l.
tel. +39 075 9477727
email: palazzodellapenna@munus.com
The tour is organized periodically (May, September and October) or upon reservation (minimum two weeks before the visit) for a minimum of 10 participants.
Prices
Different fees for singular participants or group