Charola Church, Convent of the Knights of Christ, Tomar, Portugal, 2009 (photo)

Tomar was founded in the 12th century as headquarters of the Knights Templar in Portugal (transferred in the 14th century to the Knights of the Order of Christ). The Charola was the original Romanesque Templar church, dating back to the second half of the 12th century, converted by King Manuel into the church chevet, with its interior tambour becoming the main chapel. During the 16th century, it was decorated by altarpiece paintings and murals, stucco, carvings and wooden sculpture. The Templar Castle and the Convent of the Knights of Christ were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1983.