<< Previous Next >>

Castle of Tomar


Castle of Tomar
Photo Information
Copyright: Anders Mohlin (molla) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 614 W: 85 N: 744] (5098)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-10-31
Categories: Castles, Nature, Ceremony, Architecture, Ruins
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2007-12-17 5:54
Viewed: 706
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Under the modern city lie the Roman cities of Nabantia and Sellium. After the conquest of the region from the moors in the Portuguese Reconquista, the land was granted in 1159 as a fief to the Order of the Knights Templar. Its then Grand Master in Portugal, and Tomar's somewhat mythical founder, Gualdim Pais, laid in 1160 the first stone of the Castle and Monastery that would become the Head-Quarters of the Order in Portugal. The Foro or feudal contract was granted in 1162 by the Grand Master to the people. The Templars ruled from Tomar a vast region of central Portugal which they pledged to defend from Moorish attacks and raids. Like many lords of the unpopulated former frontier region of central Portugal, the villains were given relatively liberal conditions in comparison with those of the northern regions of Portugal, in order to attract new immigrants. Those inhabitants which could sustain a horse were obliged to pay military service in return for privileges. They were not allowed the title of Knight which was reserved to the monks. Women were also admitted to the Order, although they didn't fight.

In 1190 the town was besieged by the Muslim Almohad King Yakub of Morocco but the Knights successfully defended it.


Walls of the Castle of Tomar.In 1314, under pressure from the Pope, who wanted the Templars banned throughout Europe, King Dinis negotiated instead to transfer the possessions and personnel of the order in Portugal to a newly created Order of Christ. This Order in 1319 moved south to Castro Marim, but in 1356 it returned to Tomar. In the 15th century the (cleric) Grand Master began to be nominated by the Pope, and the (lay) Master or Governor by the King, instead of being elected by the monks.

Henry the Navigator was made the Governor of the Order, and it is believed that he used the resources and knowledge of the Order to succeed in his enterprises in Africa and in the Atlantic. The cross of the Order of Christ that was painted in the sails of the caravels that crossed the seas, and the catholic missions in the new lands were to be under the authority of the Tomar clerics until 1514. Henry, enriched by his overseas enterprises, was the first ruler to ameliorate the buildings of the Convento de Cristo since its construction by Gualdim Pais. He also ordered dams to be built to control the river Nabão and swamps to be drained. This allowed the burgeoning town to attract more settlers. Henry ordered the new streets to be designed in a rational, geometrical fashion, as they can still be seen today
belido, salvator, scroller, pablominto, saxo042, Vinsachi has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekEarth members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekEarth members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • pcp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 387 W: 121 N: 571] (3025)
  • [2007-12-17 5:56]

Hi Anders,

Beautiful sky :)good composition with interesting note. well done :)

TFS

Senthil

Olá Anders,

there are two things that make this image attractive and pleasant. One is the superb clarity and highlight-shadow management. The other one is the excellent job on the sharpness. Those two features make me think I'm there...not to mention the blue sky which is a great addition. I like this a lot!
Regards,
Carlos

Hi Anders,
Nice geometry and superb colors and details. The composition is very nice.
Best regards. Salvator.

Hej Anders,
I like the mixtures of colours , sun and shadows. I getting curios whats on the right hand side and it feels a bit cutted of. I might have moved the left hand side so only a part of the wall was displayed. Anyhow another good reason to go to Portugal.
Hälsningar
/Stefan

Hej Anders,
Interesting point of view and the stairs in all directions creates excitement!
I like how you use a part of the building to frame another part, good details and rich colours!
Greetings,
Pablo -

Hej Anders,
First of all; a very good and interesting note. Then a very good picture with interesting angles of the walls pointing towards the tower in the middle. I alwayws like the sand stone colour against the blue sky, this beige and blue reminds me of my previous work...
Hälsningar
Gunnar

  • Great 
  • Nicou Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 2157 W: 0 N: 5265] (26036)
  • [2007-12-17 11:13]

Hello,

mangigique ce château, très belle couleur, cadrage parfait, une très belle image.

Bravo et amitiés

Nicou

Hej Anders,
A well composed picture where the attention is automatically drawn to the tower in the middle, by the steps to the left as well as by the wall to the right. The complicated pattern makes the picture lively and interesting. Nicely saturated colours.
Hej då,
Gert

Hi Anders,
Well composed with the wall and all these stairs, interestinf contrast for colours between stone walls and this blue sky.

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF