Tomar is a charming city of great artistic and cultural richness. The city's calling card, the Convent of Christ, is one of the most important buildings of the Portuguese Renaissance. Whatever your reason for visiting the city, don't miss the Templar Castle and the monumental Convent of Christ. The Charola is the oldest part. This Templar choir dates back to the 12th century, just like the castle, which was the most modern and progressive military fortress in the kingdom at the time. It was built by D. Gualdim Pais, Grand Master of the Knights Templar Order, and was inspired by the fortifications of the Holy Land. The choir was converted into a chancel in the 16th century by order of King Manuel I, and then received its magnificent splendour, which remains to this day and for which it has been recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Other points of interest are the Church of Santa Maria dos Olivais, the Pantheon of the Knights Templar, where several masters of this order are buried, the Roda do Mouchão, a legacy of the Muslim occupation, and the Mata dos Sete Montes.