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If, like me, you are fascinated by anything “Templar”, then this post is for you. I have always been intigued by the knights templar and the history of Lisbon and Portugal as a whole has a long and interesting history with them.
Lisbon is a city steeped in history, and its connection to the Knights Templar adds an extra layer of intrigue. The Templars have roots dating back to the 12th century and played a major role in shaping not only Portugal’s history but also Europe’s path into the Age of Discovery.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top Knights Templar sites in Lisbon and uncover the legacy of this legendary order.
Who Were the Knights Templar?
The Knights Templar were a Catholic military order founded in 1119 to protect Christian pilgrims traveling to the Holy Land. Over time, they became powerful not just as warriors, but also as landowners, bankers, and explorers.
In Portugal, the Templars supported the monarchy during the Reconquista, helping to expel the Moors. After their dissolution in 1312, the order was reborn in Portugal under a new name: the Order of Christ. This group went on to support great explorers like Vasco da Gama and Prince Henry the Navigator—financing voyages that would change the world.
Today, Lisbon still holds Templar landmarks that reflect their long and complex story. Let’s take a closer look.
Top 6 Knights Templar Sites To Visit In Lisbon
1. Church of Santa Luzia – A Templar Enigma
In the heart of Alfama, the Church of Santa Luzia is one of Lisbon’s oldest places of worship. Many believe it was built over an earlier Templar chapel. While the evidence is more legend than fact, the stories remain fascinating.
Its Romanesque architecture and peaceful terrace offer some of the best views in Lisbon. Walking Alfama’s cobblestone streets, it’s easy to picture Templars making their way to prayer or secret gatherings.
Some even say the Order’s cross is still etched into the stone walls. If you look on the outside as you walk from the church to the portas do sol viewpoint, you can see a cross.
São Jorge Castle towers over the city, with a history stretching back to the Moors. After Lisbon was captured in 1147, the Templars were likely involved in helping to secure and defend it.
Although the castle wasn’t built by the Templars, their military influence was likely felt in its reconstruction. Some say the knights used it as a base during the Reconquista—and that secret tunnels and hidden relics may still lie beneath its walls.
If i were visiting Lisbon, Alfama and the area of the castle is where I would stay.
The Jerónimos Monastery is one of Lisbon’s crown jewels and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Built in the 1500s, it was funded by the spice trade—many of those voyages backed by the Order of Christ, the Templars’ successor.
Inside, you’ll discover Manueline architecture, intricate cloisters, and nautical motifs that symbolize Portugal’s maritime might. Prince Henry the Navigator, Grand Master of the Order, is deeply tied to this site.
The Tower of Belém, another UNESCO site, wasn’t built by the Templars themselves but by their successors during the Age of Discovery.
From its riverside battlements to the Order’s crosses carved into its stone, the influence of the Templar spirit is everywhere. According to legend, secret strategy sessions and map-making meetings were once held here.
Located in the Belém district, the Maritime Museum (Museu de Marinha) offers another fascinating link to the Templar legacy. Inside, you’ll find models of Portugal’s exploration ships, many of which proudly bore the Order of Christ cross on their sails.
The collection highlights how the Templar spirit lived on in Portugal’s naval dominance during the Age of Discovery. From globes and navigation tools to royal barges, the museum paints a vivid picture of how faith, exploration, and empire were deeply intertwined.
6. Monument to the Discoveries – Templar Maritime Legacy
Standing proudly on the Tagus River, the Monument to the Discoveries honors Portugal’s great navigators. Figures like Prince Henry the Navigator, closely tied to the Order of Christ, are central to its story.
Look closely and you’ll spot the Templar cross carved into banners and ships, a reminder that the knights’ ideals sailed with Portugal’s explorers.
It always blows my mind that after the reconquista, Portugal and Spain taking back the Iberian Peninsula from the Moors, the same guys were the ones taking the cross around the world and “discovering” new lands.
Bonus: Take a Day Trip to Tomar – The Templar Capital of Portugal
If Lisbon leaves you wanting more, head to Tomar, home to the Convent of Christ—one of the most important Templar sites in the world. This fortress-monastery is a true masterpiece, blending centuries of architecture and mystery.
A trip to Tomar is a must for any Templar fanatic. The church os Santa Maria dos Olivais was the motherchurch for all the templar churches around the world. The Convento do Cristo is a Templar masterpiece. This daytrip from Lisbon is absolutely worth it.
Final Thoughts on the Templars in Lisbon
While Lisbon doesn’t have the massive Templar castles found elsewhere in Portugal, the city brims with landmarks shaped by their legacy. From medieval chapels to maritime monuments, the Knights Templar’s spirit still lingers in the streets of Lisbon.
Exploring these sites is not just a history lesson—it’s a chance to walk in the footsteps of knights, kings, and explorers who helped shape the modern world.
About the author
I’m Duncan, a Lisbon-based guide and writer who’s lived here for 11 years and taken hundreds of visitors around the city. I created Lisbon Listicles to share everything you need to know about Lisbon in clear, practical lists — from iconic sights to hidden gems — so you can plan your trip easily and make the most of your time here.
All recommendations are based on personal experience and the questions I hear most often from visitors.
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